Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, will attend the founding meeting of the Arctic Economic Council (AEC) in Iqaluit, Nunavut, on September 2 and 3, 2014.

The creation of the AEC is a priority initiative during Canada’s 2013-2015 Arctic Council chairmanship, which is focused on development for the people of the North.

Canada co-chaired the Arctic Council task force that was established at the Arctic Council’s May 2013 Ministerial Meeting in Kiruna, Sweden, to facilitate the creation of the AEC. 

The AEC will work to foster sustainable development, including economic growth, environmental protection and social development in the Arctic.

At the founding meeting, the business representatives named by the Arctic states and the Arctic Council’s indigenous Permanent Participant organizations will discuss the organization, structure and objectives of the AEC.

Quotes

“Our government prioritized the creation of the Arctic Economic Council to facilitate business opportunities, trade, investment and growth in the best interests of Northerners. Establishing this body is a historic moment for the Arctic Council in its efforts to advance sustainable development in the Arctic. I am confident that the AEC will be a strong and effective body that will help enhance pan-Arctic economic cooperation for the benefit of communities and people in the Arctic.”

- Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council

src:news.gc.ca