According to the Kiruna Declaration issued at the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Kiruna, Sweden on 15 May 2013, Singapore was granted observership in the Arctic Council. In addition to Singapore, China, India, Italy, Japan and the Republic of Korea were also granted observer status.
Singapore submitted its application for observership in December 2011. The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum for discussing political, economic, environmental and scientific issues concerning the governments and inhabitants of the Arctic region. The work of the Arctic Council includes issues such as sustainable development and environmental protection of the Arctic region. The Arctic Council also disseminates information, encourages education, and promotes interest in the Arctic. The members of the Arctic Council are Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, and the United States.
Canada takes over the two-year Chairmanship of the Arctic Council from Sweden at the Kiruna Ministerial today.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
14 MAY 2013