ROVANIEMI – The following statement was issued by Janis Searles Jones, CEO of Ocean Conservancy, at the conclusion of the 11^th Arctic Council Ministerial meeting today:

“For the first time in 23 years, the biannual Arctic Council meeting concluded without a ministerial declaration because the U.S. delegation led by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly refused to sign a document that included the biggest threat to the Arctic – climate change.

“This failure to reach consensus with the other seven Arctic states and six Permanent Participant organizations in a region that is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world represents a new low for the U.S. Urgent action on climate is needed, and the failure of the U.S. to even acknowledge the changing climate in this cooperative intergovernmental forum is alarming.

“Ocean Conservancy calls on the Trump Administration not to abdicate leadership and cooperation at this important intergovernmental forum. The U.S. must also commit to the Paris Agreement and take swift action to deliver on our nationally determined contribution to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Rovaniemi Joint Ministerial Statement 2019 still reflects the majority of the Arctic Council’s commitment to tackling climate change and ocean acidification, implementing ecosystem based management, and supporting efforts to make shipping safer in the Arctic, including the work to phase-out the use of the highly toxic heavy fuel oil. The Statement of the Chair elevates the importance of indigenous knowledge and meaningful participation in all Arctic decision-making, building on the existing role of indigenous representatives at the council.

“As the Chair of the Arctic Council passes from Finland to Iceland, Ocean Conservancy applauds the strides made in the past two years to seek shared opportunities and meet the challenges of a rapidly changing Arctic region and the globally unique ice habitats of the Arctic Ocean. Now more than ever, the Arctic Council must improve Arctic governance and protect this globally unique region.

“We welcome the opportunity to continue supporting the important work proposed by the Arctic Council under Iceland’s 2019-2021 Chair. We look forward to developing a Regional Action Plan that tackles the urgent issue of marine debris and plastic pollution and invite Arctic governments, indigenous communities and all Arctic residents to join the annual International Coastal Cleanup.

“We all share a responsibility to the Arctic, its unique biodiversity and the resilient people who live there. Addressing the causes and impacts of climate change cannot be an afterthought in mapping out a prosperous and safe future for the Arctic and the world.”

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Ocean Conservancy experts are available for interviews upon request.

Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.