Coast Guard Leaders from Arctic Nations Sign Historic Joint Statement

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arcticocean1-759x500The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the below news release, announcing establishment of the Arctic Coast Guard Forum with the signing of a joint statement by leaders representing all eight coast guard agencies of the Arctic nations – Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden, and the United States. The Forum is an operationally-focused, consensus-based organization with the purpose of leveraging collective resources to foster safe, secure, and environmentally responsible maritime activity in the Arctic.


Release Date:

October 30, 2015

For Immediate Release

DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010

NEW LONDON, CONN. – A joint statement, officially establishing the Arctic Coast Guard Forum (ACGF), was signed today by leaders representing all eight coast guard agencies of the Arctic nations.

The Arctic Coast Guard Forum is an operationally-focused, consensus-based organization with the purpose of leveraging collective resources to foster safe, secure, and environmentally responsible maritime activity in the Arctic. Membership includes Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Russian Federation, and the United States.

“The United States is proud to join fellow Arctic nations at this inaugural Arctic Coast Guard Forum,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson. “The Arctic is crucial to our shared security, and this declaration underscores our commitment to cooperating with our international partners as we navigate this challenging and changing region.”

“Today’s historic Arctic Coast Guard Forum represents a critical step forward in our collective efforts to promote safety, security and environmentally-responsible maritime activity in the Arctic,” said U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft. “As the ocean becomes more accessible to human activity, all Arctic nations have committed to enhancing maritime cooperation in this remote and challenging environment.”

The signing ceremony marked the successful conclusion of a summit held at the United States Coast Guard Academy on October 28-30, 2015. The ACGF will reconvene for an Experts Meeting in spring 2016.


Source: US DHS

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