On May 20, the Arctic Council held their 12^th ministerial meeting in Reykjavik, convening the foreign ministers of the eight Arctic States. Though tensions have been rising in the region, Member-States used this meeting to affirm their commitments to cooperation and environmental protection (Al Jazeera, French 24).

Climate change was at the forefront of the agenda. The meeting coincided with an intense heat wave, with temperatures in the Arctic Circle rising as high as 86.5 degrees this past week. Scientists estimate that these trends will continue, and that by 2050, the Arctic will be totally ice-less in the summer months (Grist). While the environmental concerns of this estimation loom large, Member-States have not missed the potential economic opportunities of this climatic shift. The retreating ice promises increased access for shipping, oil extraction, fishing, and mining in the resource-rich region, and the Arctic States have been eager to stake early claims. Both the United States and Russia have increased their military presence, and Russia has begun investing in a large fleet of ice-breaker ships (Reuters, Grist).

However, council members used this convening to affirm that their top priorities in the coming decade will be to prevent further climate change impacts and maintain peace. The meeting concluded with the issuance of a joint statement, which urged Member-States to follow through on their Paris Agreement commitments and continue to protect the environment and human health, and an agreement for a new 10-year strategic plan (Al Jazeera, Arctic Council).