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ARCTIC ECONOMIC COUNCIL
Working Groups: Instructions
The Arctic Economic Council (AEC) is an independent organization that facilitates Arctic business-tobusiness activities and responsible economic development through the sharing of best practices,
technological solutions, standards and other information. The AEC works closely with the Arctic Council,
providing advice and a business perspective on specific areas of cooperation in the circumpolar region.
The AEC’s work will be driven by working groups established on particular sectors and overarching
themes. Their work will be action oriented and focus on solutions that drive Arctic business forward in a
responsible and sustainable manner. Recognizing that Arctic business actors extend beyond those
represented on the AEC and to enrich discussions, we invite the broader Arctic business community to
participate in the working groups.
Scope and method of work
The AEC will establish working groups based on selected business areas/sectors and overarching
themes. The business areas include:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
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Infrastructure and related matters including
 maritime transportation;
 communications and IT;
 aviation;
Energy and natural resources;
Tourism;
Fishing and marine resources;
Human resources investments and capacity building;
Traditional Arctic livelihoods.
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Each working group will be tasked with analyzing the business area/sector through the lens of one or
two overarching themes including:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Establishing strong market connections between the Arctic states;
Encouraging public-private partnerships for infrastructure investments;
Creating stable and predictable regulatory frameworks;
Facilitating knowledge and data exchange between industry and academia; and
Traditional indigenous knowledge, stewardship and a focus on small businesses.
By applying this matrix approach, it will be ensured that each sector oriented working group addresses
the most relevant theme(s) in its analysis and recommended actions. For instance, a working group on
aviation infrastructure might determine that analysis should be undertaken regarding the prevailing
regulatory regimes or infrastructure investments in the circumpolar region given certain perceived
challenges and/or opportunities experienced by that sector.
Working groups will be responsible for:
a. Conceptualizing and developing a project, including securing funding and administrative
support;
b. Implementing a project;
c. Reporting to the AEC during meetings on the progress of a project.
The work should result in actionable recommendations to facilitate trade, investment and industry
collaboration, and to eliminate identified barriers. It should follow these four basis steps:
Step I
Step II
Step III
Step IV
Analyze the current status of the business area in relation to one or two overarching themes;
Define actionable recommendations and items that will address the current status quo;
Start executing on identified actions;
Report and review.
The operating term for each working group will be 1-2 years depending on the need for analysis and
implementation of recommended actions.
Establishing a working group
The AEC Executive Committee will solicit proposals from the AEC representatives, evaluate and
subsequently appoint the working groups based on the incoming proposals. AEC representatives will
equally be asked to submit suggestions for memberships of a particular working group. Working group
members may be selected from outside the group of AEC representatives. The following process for
engaging the broader Arctic business community in AEC work applies:
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The AEC Terms of Reference article 16 states the following: “Recognizing that Arctic business actors
extend beyond those representing the Arctic Council states and Permanent Participant organizations, the
AEC will create mechanisms for involving the broader Arctic business community, for instance through
the working groups. This will further enrich AEC discussions, and will have the potential to expand the
scope of AEC activities”.
For transparency reasons and for reasons of consistency, uniformity is desired in the way working
groups members are recruited and/or selected. The AEC has therefore determined a process based on
the following criteria:
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The broader Arctic business community is defined as any enterprise – large or small –
indigenous or non-indigenous – doing or pursuing business in the circumpolar region.
Such enterprises are welcome to seek active involvement in AEC work by participating in one or
more of the working groups.
-
Working group membership shall be comprised of business community representatives.
Working groups have the flexibility to access experts outside the business community
for purposes of achieving the goals of the working groups.
-
Participants must be able to contribute from an area of expertise and should have a substantive,
sector oriented contribution to make.
Participants must be available and able to take on work, participate in meetings and liaise with
the Chair and members as needed.
Ultimately, the inclusion of any working group member happens at the discretion of the Chair of
the working group and with the agreement of the AEC Executive Committee.
Selection of the working group members is at the discretion of the working group chair.
Interested individuals must submit a letter of interest and their CV or resume.
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End.
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