PNWER at Work > Working Groups > Arctic Caucus

About

PicturePNWER Delegation at Arctic Leaders Forum and Energy Council in Washington, D.C
The Arctic Caucus of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is a partnership between Alaska, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.

The partnership aims to provide a forum to share information, discuss issues of mutual concern, identify areas for collaboration between the three jurisdictions and the rest of North America, and provide Arctic-relevant input to PNWER working groups and the region at-large.

The Caucus is made up of PNWER public and private sector members from the three core jurisdictions; other PNWER members are encouraged to participate and to provide their input according to their interest issues effecting the Arctic. The Caucus is chaired on an annual rotation by leadership from each of the three jurisdictions. 

2020 PNWER North American Arctic Leadership Forum

The 7th North American Arctic Leaders Forum was held on March 12, 2020 in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Capitol. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK) hosted this event in collaboration with the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER). The theme of this year's forum focused on how jurisdictions could work towards a stronger North American Arctic partnership. Senator Murkowski provided a keynote presentation to the group of attendees from several U.S. Federal agencies and private businesses. Several Arctic experts spoke at the Forum and shared insights on the importance of collaborating in the North American Arctic.

​Speakers included:

- John Farrell, Executive Director, U.S. Arctic Research Commission
- Larry Hinzman, Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Alaska-Fairbanks
- Daniel Kachur, Energy, Environment, Science, Technology and Health Officer, Western Hemisphere Affairs Bureau, Office of Canadian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
- Kip Knudson, State/Federal Director, Office of Governor of Alaska
- Martin Loken, Minister (Political Affairs) at the Embassy of Canada
- Matt Morrison, CEO, Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER)
- The Honorable Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senate
- Inuuteq Holm Olsen, Greenland Representative, Government of Greenland
- Christopher Sands, Director, Wilson Center Canada Institute
- Zachary Schulman, Arctic Policy Coordinator, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
- Mead Treadwell, Vice Chair, Alaska for Alaska to Alberta Railway (A2A rail)

PNWER is grateful to Senator Lisa Murkowski for hosting this event and to all our speakers and attendees that were able to participate at the Forum on March 12th.

For further information please email Steve Myers at steve.myers@pnwer.org.

Final Report and Proceedings 

History

element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultJackfish Power Plant Policy Tour in Yellowknife, NWT
Formed in 2009, the Arctic Caucus of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is a partnership between Alaska, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories to provide a forum to share information, discuss issues of mutual concern, identify areas for collaboration between the three jurisdictions and the rest of North America, and provide Arctic-relevant input to PNWER working groups and the region at-large.

​Since its formation, the Arctic Caucus has developed a dynamic action plan, which is the basis of the Caucus’ existence.  PNWER, North America’s largest public- private partnership, has a role in increasing advocacy for Arctic issues; recognizing a distinct economic region, and sharing best practices across the US-Canada border.
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Areas of Interest

To date, the Arctic Caucus has explored a variety of issue areas in its ongoing efforts to identify and complete action items. At the heart of all discussions is the common theme of addressing the issues with special attention to the scale and unique challenges of living in the North. Common projects and information sharing support a range of topic areas including:
  • Infrastructure: Development, Siting, & Financing
  • The Knowledge Sector: Research & Education
  • ​Transportation
  • Tourism
  • The Arctic Council
  • Telecommunications
  • Energy
  • Mining
  • Security
​Regional Economic Development

​This subcommittee will enhance the collaboration of the private sector, and Arctic First Nations on cross-jurisdictional economic development. Cultural tourism and artisan trades in the region have been identified as sectors that could be enhanced through collaboration. These areas have been specific to the jurisdiction, but this subcommittee will promote a regional approach.
​Resource & Infrastructure Development

​This subcommittee works to bring stakeholders together on infrastructure projects from various sectors. It was suggested that a Beaufort Regional Council could be developed and modeled after the Barents Regional Council, with the aim of providing a missing level of planning coordination for multimodal, transborder corridors.
Arctic Maritime Safety & Oil Spill Response

In addition to addressing what has been done in the region to enhance the oil spill response and capability, this subcommittee will survey what public and private sector partnerships could assist with and enhance oil spill response and Arctic maritime safety. . This subcommittee will also support outreach efforts to the U.S. Federal Government on the development of Icebreakers and Arctic maritime support vessels and infrastructure.
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Resources

For additional resources and information about previous PNWER Arctic Caucus events, please click here.
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Leadership

Rep. Jennifer Johnson
State Representative
Alaska State Legislature
Co-chair
Paolo Gallina, MLA
Member of the Legislative Assembly
Government of Yukon
Co-chair

PNWER Staff
Steve Myers
Senior Program Manager, PNWER​
steve.myers@pnwer.org
p: 206-443-7723
f: 206-443-7703
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Banner photo from Tourism Yukon