Tag: Regional Cooperation

Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) engages in regional cooperation primarily through the Arctic Council, focusing on environmental protection, sustainable development, and Indigenous rights, while also collaborating with neighboring Arctic nations on issues such as climate change and resource management.

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Greenland Science Week, Ice Sheets, Indigenous Rights & Arctic Security… November’s Wrap Up

In Greenland, a major scientific conference, the Greenland Science Week, organized by the Arctic Hub, brought together 400 researchers from 20 countries. Several representatives of the new presidency of the Arctic Council—now largely based in Greenland—took part (High North News, 19 November). Greenland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research, Vivian Motzfeldt, reiterated that research conducted in Greenland must primarily benefit local populations, integrate Indigenous knowledge, and ensure meaningful knowledge returns to the communities concerned (High North News, 13 November).

A new scientific report published ahead of COP30 warns of a rapid and potentially irreversible decline of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, which could lead to sea-level rise far exceeding current estimates. The report cautions that even the +1.5°C target would not be sufficient to prevent major damage and calls for global emissions to be halved by 2030 to limit ice-sheet collapse and its global consequences (Eye on the Arctic, 13 November).

At COP, the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) also denounced the interchangeable use of the terms “local communities” and “Indigenous peoples,” a practice which, according to the organization, obscures the specific rights of Indigenous peoples (Eye on the Arctic, 19 November). The ICC is also calling for direct access to funding, the integration of Indigenous knowledge, and a just energy transition (Eye on the Arctic, 13 November).

At the national level, former Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte B. Egede accused Denmark of having committed a “genocide” during the so-called spiral campaign of the 1960s–1970s, sparking controversy. He received the backing of his successor, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (Sermitsiaq, 21 November), despite a now-withdrawn threat of legal action (Sermitsiaq, 23 November) by former Danish minister Tom Høyen, who disputes the accusations.

At the European Parliament, a network of regionalist, separatist, and minority-focused parties across Europe invited two Faroese politicians and former Siumut party secretary in Greenland, Ole Aggo Markussen, to exchange views and expand their network. The group brings together Scottish, Catalan, Basque, Corsican, Flemish, and also Kanak independence movements (Altinget, 24 November).

Also at the European Parliament, a new resolution on the Arctic was adopted, warning against growing militarization and stressing the need for cooperation with Nordic partners, notably Norway. The text highlights the importance of the High North for Europe’s security, energy, connectivity, and geopolitical stability, placing the Arctic at the core of the EU’s diplomatic and security priorities (High North News, 1 December).

Finally, earlier this month, the new US ambassador to Denmark—co-founder of PayPal and a long-time friend of Elon Musk—took up his post in Copenhagen, identifying defense cooperation, trade ties, and Arctic security as priorities (Eye on the Arctic, 5 November). He nevertheless remained evasive about Trump’s ambitions, refusing to rule out past proposals by Donald Trump regarding US sovereignty over Greenland (DR, 18 November). In early December, representatives from Greenland, Denmark, and the United States are set to meet in Greenland to resume official trilateral talks (Sermitsiaq, 26 November).

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French Consulate, Economic Crisis, Eastern Independence & Protest in Nuuk… Summer’s Wrap Up

Following President Macron’s visit to Greenland last June, the French ambassador to Denmark, Christophe Parisot, is considering opening a French consulate general in Nuuk in 2026, following in the footsteps of the European Union (Sermitsiaq, August 13). In July, as part of the Danish presidency of the EU Council, a delegation of European ambassadors and senior officials visited Ilulissat and Nuuk to strengthen cooperation with Greenland on climate, security, and raw materials issues (Sermitsiaq, July 31). Meanwhile, in an interview with Reuters, the head of the Arctic Command said that Greenland is not that difficult to defend, and that its defense is under control (Sermitsiaq, June 27). That being said, Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has affirmed his commitment to increasing the Danish military presence in Greenland through the construction of a new headquarters for the Arctic Command, as well as the creation of a Greenlandic military unit under the Arctic Command, as part of the Arctic Basic Training, which is located in Kangerlussuaq (DR & DR, August 18). While in Nuuk, he met with Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt and German Deputy Defence Minister Dr. Nils Schmid to work on strengthening cooperation between the three countries in light of developments in security policy. On this occasion, the German supply ship “Berlin” docked in Nuuk (Sermitsiaq, August 18). At the national level, for the former prime minister, and now Minister of Finance, Múte B. Egede, “Greenland is entering an economic crisis,” predicting budget cuts of 864 million kroner over the next four years, notably through a reform of the pension system (Altinget, August 19). The minister attributes, in part, the current economic difficulties in Greenland to the lack of manpower and the weakening of Greenland’s development potential resulting from the campaign of forced sterilization of Greenlandic women and girls in the 1960s (DR, August 19). In this regard, the investigation, which is to reveal the consequences of forced sterilizations and contraception cases from the 1960s to the present day, is running behind schedule and is not expected to be published before the end of January 2026 (Sermitsiaq, June 28). While Greenlandic independence has occupied a central place in recent debates, a new party has just been created in Tasiilaq to defend this time the independence of the eastern part of Greenland (Party for an Independent Eastern Greenland, PSØ.G.). On May 18, a large demonstration took place in Tasiilaq against politicians from the west coast. Anette Nicolaisen, one of the party’s founders, summarized: “We absolutely cannot bear that West Greenland says: ‘Denmark, you are not listening to us, Denmark, you are doing all these things against us,’ and when we then say, you are doing exactly the same thing to us, nobody does anything” (DR, August 2). In Denmark, Ivana Nikoline Brønlund, 18, from Greenland, has just had her child forcibly taken from her at birth by the municipality of Høje-Taastrup. While the removal of Greenlandic children from their families has been the subject of widespread controversy since last year, and the Danish government has finally decided to end the controversial FKU psychological test and create a special unit (VISO), protests have taken place in Nuuk (Sermitsiaq, August 13). It appears that the municipality of Høje-Taastrup has not complied with the new legislation (Sermitsiaq, August 16). Today, several dozen cases are being re-evaluated in light of criticism of institutionalized discrimination through FKU tests (DR, August 10).



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Macron in Nuuk, Cooperation within the Kingdom & Near-Ittoqqortoormiit Mining License… June’s Wrap-up

On a visit to Greenland ahead of the G7 in Kananaskis, Canada, the French President met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen during a visit to Nuuk. Emmanuel Macron affirmed his support for Greenland and announced that France is ready to strengthen its commitment to the Arctic through joint exercises and economic and social partnerships (High North News, June 16). He also announced the opening of a French consulate general in Nuuk, while a European representation was inaugurated in March (Sermitsiaq, June 15). At the end of May, the heads of government of the eight Nordic countries met in Finland. While Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Åland had been repeatedly excluded in recent months, the eight Nordic countries committed to including them in future Nordic ministerial meetings and to strengthening cooperation on civil preparedness and resilience (High North News, May 30). In mid-June, the heads of government of the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Denmark convened for their biannual meeting in the Faroese capital, Tórshavn. Beyond increased pressures in the Arctic, the Faroe Islands and Greenland have engaged in dialogue for greater autonomy in foreign affairs, while the Danish prime minister has called for a “modernization of the Kingdom” and greater investment in Greenland (High North News, June 18; Eye on the Arctic, June 17). “We have made it clear that if Greenland wants to amend the Self-Government Act, including ensuring better economic frameworks for Greenland in relation to mineral extraction, we are ready to conclude this agreement on the Danish side,” said Mette Frederiksen (Sermitsiaq, June 17). The head of defense attended this biannual meeting for the first time (Altinget, June 18). In coordination with the Greenlandic government, the Danish armed forces will increase their presence in Greenland this summer, with a frigate and two helicopters now in place to strengthen military operations in the Arctic (High North News, June 11). At the same time, the Danish Parliament approved the installation of US military bases on Danish soil (Eye on the Arctic, June 12). Furthermore, at the NATO summit in The Hague, where the Greenlandic government wanted to meet with their US counterparts (Sermitsiaq, June 23), Denmark formally entered into a partnership with Canada, Germany, and Norway on maritime security and military cooperation in the North Atlantic (Sermitsiaq, June 25). Also in June, Greenland granted a 30-year permit to a European Union-backed project to mine molybdenum, a critical metal used in aerospace, energy, and defense, on which China has imposed export controls. The permit was granted to Greenland Resources, a Toronto-listed company backed by the European Raw Materials Alliance, which holds the license for the Malmbjerg project near Ittoqqortoormiit, the northernmost town on the east coast. The open-pit mine could supply about 25% of Europe’s molybdenum consumption (Sermitsiaq, June 19;  Eye on the Arctic , June 19). Regionally, the Kingdom of Denmark held its first session of the Arctic Council; “Engagement with indigenous peoples, focused on promoting knowledge sharing, is a cross-cutting priority for the Kingdom of Denmark,” said Kenneth Høegh, the Greenlandic SAO representing the Kingdom of Denmark (Eye on the Arctic, June 17). Finally, in Denmark, a new organization called Uagut (“us” in Greenlandic) was founded by Greenlanders in Denmark. This organization aims to give a voice to the approximately 17,000 Greenlanders living in Denmark and to combat discrimination against them (Sermitsiaq, June 22).

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Arctic Council, US Intelligency, Protest for Eastern citizens… May’s Wrap-Up

On May 12, Greenland assumed the leadership of the Arctic Council on behalf of the Kingdom of Denmark. After a long power struggle between Nuuk and Copenhagen, Vivian Motzfeldt, Greenland’s foreign minister, took over the chairmanship of the Council after two years of Norwegian presidency marked by a desire to foster regional cooperation. “I must say that I think it is entirely appropriate that Greenland takes this on behalf of the Kingdom, as this is the Arctic part of the Kingdom of Denmark,” the Norwegian foreign minister said at the handover session in Tromsø (Altinget , May 13; Sermitsiaq, May 18). Ahead of the handover, the 14th meeting of the Arctic Council was held virtually. The eight member states of the Council and its six permanent participating organizations agreed on a joint statement, which reiterates the commitment to maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the Arctic, and to maintaining the Arctic Council as the main tool for this commitment (High North News, May 13). The Kingdom of Denmark, whose Senior Arctic Official (SAO) will be Greenlandic Arctic Ambassador Kenneth Høegh, presented the roadmap for its presidency (2025-2027) which is divided into five themes: indigenous peoples and Arctic societies, sustainable economic development and energy transition, ocean, climate change in the Arctic and biodiversity (Sermitsiaq, May 12). In addition, Vivian Motzfeldt met with the EU’s foreign and security policy chief, Kaja Kallas. The raw materials sector was highlighted as an important area for developing cooperation, with Vivian Motzfeldt stressing that “in these difficult times Greenland is facing, it is important to approach reliable partners who share the same values” (Sermitsiaq, 18 May). The foreign minister also met with her French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot, stating that “France was one of the first countries to significantly express its support for the Greenlandic population” (Sermitsiaq, 21 May); in January, Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that France was at Denmark’s disposal if it requested support (Sermitsiaq, 22 May). While the Danish-American defense agreement providing for the possibility of stationing American soldiers on Danish soil at the Karup, Skrydstrup and Aalborg bases was discussed in the Folketing (Sermitsiaq, May 15), Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, like the Greenlandic Prime Minister, deemed “unacceptable” the United States’ desire to intensify its espionage activities in Greenland and Denmark, revealed by the Wall Street Journal (Wall Street Journal, May 6; Sermitsiaq, May 8; Sermitsiaq, May 15). The Pentagon is also considering transferring Greenland from the United States European Command (EUCOM) to the United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM). Beyond this unilateral and partly symbolic measure, the White House is also studying the possibility of offering Greenland a zone of free association with the United States, a status hitherto reserved for small island nations in the Pacific Ocean, notably the Marshall Islands and Micronesia (Reuters , May 9). In early May, Nordic defense ministers signed a revised memorandum of understanding on cooperation at a meeting in Rovaniemi. The new version incorporates the significant development of NORDEFCO (Nordic Defense Cooperation) in recent years, particularly following Russia’s war against Ukraine and Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO (High North News, May 12). Regionally, while Greenlandic authorities have repeatedly protested their underrepresentation in regional governance forums, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen participated in the Nordic ministerial meeting (Sermitsiaq, May 26). Finally, demonstrations took place in Tasiilaq and Nuuk to denounce the plight of residents of the country’s east coast who face chronic underinvestment, political marginalization and numerous stigmatizations (Sermitsiaq, May 15; Sermitsiaq, May 22; Sermitsiaq, May 22). 

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New Government, Visit of King Frederik X, Power Outage from Spain to Kalaallit Nunaat… April’s Wrap-Up

On April 7, the Inatsisartut, the Greenlandic parliament, officially swore in 33-year-old Jens-Frederik Nielsen as prime minister, leading a coalition that includes Demokraatit, Inuit Ataqatigiit, Siumut, and Atassut, excluding Naleraq, which advocates for faster independence. This broad coalition, which represents 75% of the vote, pledges to strengthen infrastructure, particularly on the east coast, improve the health system, and move toward independence, while deferring discussions on controversial issues such as taxation and the exploitation of natural resources to later agreements (KNR, April 7). Earlier, even before the inauguration of the new prime minister, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen visited Greenland to strengthen relations between the Danish and Greenlandic governments, after the United States significantly escalated its rhetoric regarding the country’s desire to take control of Greenland (DR, April 3; High North News, April 9). In this regard, following J.D. Vance at Pittufik in late March, Susannah Meyers, commander of the US space station, was fired due to a “lack of confidence in her ability to lead” following a critical email to the vice president (DR, April 11). Regionally, while Greenland suspended its participation in the Nordic Council last year, the Nordic governments are now considering granting full membership status to Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Åland (Sermitsiaq, April 22). That said, like the former prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen remains skeptical about the short-term possibility of seeing Greenland acquire an expanded role within the Council (Sermitsiaq, April 23). The latter also paid a visit to Copenhagen to strengthen relations with Denmark, stating that Greenland would never be for sale and criticizing disrespectful statements from the United States. Following his meeting with Mette Frederiksen, the latter indicated that Denmark was ready to renegotiate the autonomy agreement and also wishes to invest more in Greenland, while the possibility of a reconciliation commission was put forward (Sermitsiaq, April 27). Also in response to American ambitions, King Frederik X of Denmark visited Greenland at the end of April to reaffirm the historical ties between Denmark and his autonomous territory (Eye on the Arctic, April 29). Despite calls for independence and recent tensions, the king enjoys widespread popularity within the autonomous territory, which he knows well and visited several times before his inauguration (DR, April 29). In Copenhagen, the Danish parliament adopted the bill that puts an end to the use by municipalities of psychological tests (FKU) deemed discriminatory against Greenlandic families (Sermitsiaq, April 25). However, earlier in the month, the appeal of Keira Alexandra Kronvold, the Greenlandic mother who had brought these psychological tests to light, was rejected (Sermitsiaq, April 16). At the end of the month, following the massive power outage in Spain, telecommunications services were interrupted for a few hours in isolated communities in Greenland (Sermitsiaq, April 29). Since 2023, the ground station in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, has played a central role in sending data to satellites that supply the communities of Qaanaaq and surrounding areas, Ittoqqortoormiit and Tasiilaq (Sermitsiaq, April 30). Furthermore, Greenland’s health system remains particularly vulnerable due to staff shortages, which led to the closure of two maternity wards in Qaqortoq and Sisimiut this month (Sermitsiaq , April 16). Finally, on the climate front, 2024 was the third warmest year ever recorded in the Arctic (Sermitsiaq, April 23). 



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National Elections to Come, Independance, Cryolite Censured… February’s Wrap-Up

In response to U.S. moves on Kalaallit Nunaat, EU heads of state and government finally united in their clear and unequivocal support for Denmark (DR, February 3). Against this backdrop, the Inatsisartut, Kalaallit Nunaat’s parliament, has just passed a law banning political parties from receiving foreign or anonymous donations in order to “protect the integrity of the country” (Eye on the Arctic, February 5). On this subject, Kalaallit Nunaat’s Prime Minister, Mute B. Egede (Inuit Ataqatigiit, IA) has announced that general elections will be held on March 11. The main themes of the election campaign are expected to revolve around aspirations for independence, as well as relations with Denmark and the United States  (Eye on the Arctic, February 5). For Juno Berthelsen (Naleraq), “Trump’s comments and the US administration’s new line have definitely given the independence movement more momentum”. All national parties are in favor of independence, but differ on implementation. Kalaallit Nunaat’s current prime minister has said that if re-elected, he would call for an independence referendum (Eye on the Arctic, February 19). True to its position, the Naleraq party proposes immediate independence from Denmark. In a sign that independence is becoming an even more important issue for Kalaallit Nunaat’s political class, the national parliamentarian Kuno Fencker has left the party and joined Naleraq (DR, February 11), following in the footsteps of another key Siumut figure, Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam, who has also left Siumut (KNR, February 7). Høegh-Dam, who previously saw independence as a long-term goal, said he now wanted to hold a vote on independence after next month’s general elections (Eye on the Arctic, February 7), before partially reversing this position (Sermitsiaq, February 26). Inatsisartut has also tightened the rules on property acquisition and land allocation, which will now be open only to people who have lived in Kalaallit Nunaat for two years and paid taxes in the country (Sermitsiaq, February 4). According to the documentary “The White Gold of Greenland”, broadcast and produced by DR, Danish Radio and Television, between 1854 and 1987, Denmark mined cryolite in Kalaallit Nunaat for a turnover of 400 billion kroner in today’s Denmark, provoking great indignation in Kalaallit Nunaat. For Siumut president Erik Jensen, the documentary shows that the desire for independence is not unrealistic: “It has reinforced our feeling that we can stand on our own two feet in Kalaallit Nunaat. That we’re not just an expense” (DR, February 10). Reversing the stigma, Kalaallit Nunaat’s prime minister invited us to ask: “What would Denmark have become without Kalaallit Nunaat?” (DR, February 9). For 130 years, cryolite was extracted from a mine in southwest Kalaallit Nunaat by Danish miners and shipped back to Denmark. For Sara Olsvig, President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, “the documentary should give further impetus to Denmark’s journey towards a better understanding of itself as a colonial power” (Altinget, February 11). In Denmark, however, the documentary has triggered fierce criticism, particularly from the Conservative and Liberal parties, with Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt calling it “disinformation” (DR, February 12). Although several economists qualified the figures that had crystallized the criticism (DR, February 12), in the face of the controversy, DR finally decided to delete the controversial documentary and fire its editor-in-chief (Altinget, February 19). A “shameful” decision for the Kalaallit Nunaat’s Prime Minister (Sermitsiaq, February 20) and seen as “serious interference in the independent press, which could threaten press freedom” by the Greenland Media Association (Sermitsiaq, February 25). Nonetheless, the documentary contributes to documenting Denmark’s colonial history (DR, February 10; Altinget, February 27), and in particular the role of mining (Altinget, February), but also highlights a form of “denial” towards it (Altinget, February 27), and promises to be amply mobilized during the election campaign (DR, February 11). A new party, Qulleq, formed by former members of the Siumut and Naleraq parties, is expected to take part in the election campaign, having now collected enough voter declarations to give the party the right to run. The party intends to defend both a rapid independence of the country, and the acceleration of mining and oil exploitation (Sermitsiaq, February 7). Finally, Kenneth Høegh, head of Kalaallit Nunaat’s representation in Washington, is being considered as the next Arctic ambassador  (Sermitsiaq, February 21).

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Discriminatory Parenting Test, Translation at the Folketing, Inauguration of Nuuk Airport… November’s Wrap-Up

In Kalaallit Nunaat, tensions and demonstrations of support for Keira Alexandra Kronvold, a woman of kalaaleq origin, increased as her child was forcibly taken away by social services within hours of giving birth in Thisted, Denmark. The Danish Parenting Assessment Test (FKU), one of the psychometric tests widely used in Denmark to assess parenting skills, has been heavily criticized for reproducing racist discrimination. An extract from Keira Alexandra Kronvold’s file bears witness to this: “her origin would make it difficult for her to prepare the child for the social expectations and codes necessary in Danish society”. This is just one of many cases, since according to a 2022 report, children of kalaaleq origin living in Denmark are six times more likely to be placed in care than those of Danish origin (Sermitsiaq, November 20; The Guardian, November 25; DR, November 12). At the Folketing, the Danish parliament, the simultaneous translation hitherto rejected by the Speaker, Søren Gade, was tested for the first time during questions to the Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, who described the day as historic (Sermitsiaq, November 26; DR, November 26). Another “historic moment” for former Prime Minister Kim Kielsen was the inauguration of Nuuk International Airport, which now provides a direct link between Nuuk and Copenhagen, bypassing Kangerlussuaq (Sermitsiaq, November 28). At the end of November, Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen visited Nuuk to meet Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt to discuss the defence agreement and reaffirm a joint commitment to close cooperation on Arctic defence issues, with two priorities: to ensure that the Arctic remains a low-voltage zone, and to guarantee the participation of local businesses and the local population in the development of defence installations (Sermitsiaq, November 23; Eye on the Arctic, November 23). And while Kalaallit Nunaat has already decided to boycott the Nordic Council, the Faroe Islands have also threatened to leave the regional governance body. The Swedish presidency has not invited Kalaallit Nunaat and the Faroe Islands to a number of meetings, seeing this as a breach of equality between Council members, while an update of the treaties is called for so that Kalaallit Nunaat, the Faroe Islands and Åland join the Council as independent members (High North News, November 6). Finally, Paul Watson’s pre-trial detention has once again been renewed until December 18, pending a Danish response as to whether or not he should be extradited to Japan (Sermitsiaq, December 2).

Photo: Keira Alexandra Kronvold and her baby, who has been removed from her by the local municipality. Photograph: supplied (The Guardian).

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Paul Watson’s Detention, Flights between Iqaluit-Nuuk and within the Arctic… October’s Wrap-Up

On October 23, the Kalaaleq Court decided to extend the detention of activist Paul Watson until November 13, pending the Danish government’s decision on Japan’s extradition request (AFP, October 24). The direct flights between Iqaluit and Nuuk, launched for the second year by Air Greenland after more than ten years, are a success. According to the figures, 70% of seats were occupied on this 37-seat weekly flight between June 26 and October 23 (Eye on the Arctic, October 24). An agreement has also been signed between Air Greenland and Icelandair at Arctic Circle to improve connections between Kalaallit Nunaat, Canada and the Faroe Islands. The agreement will come into effect next summer, and will enable passengers to book flights with both airlines on a single ticket. Keflavik airport in Iceland will be the departure point for these flights, linking Kalaallit Nunaat to Icelandair’s network of North American routes (Eye on the Arctic, October 23).

Author: Magali Vuillerme (translation). Photo: Associated Press/Louise Delmotte.

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Paul Watson’s Arrest, Arctic Command Rescue, Paris Agreement, Critical Mineral… Summer’s Wrap-Up

The arrest of whale conservation activist Paul Watson on July 21 in Nuuk, following an international arrest warrant charging him with obstructing activities and causing injury and property damage to a Japanese whaling vessel in 2010, has attracted international attention (Eye on the Arctic, August 15). While his request for release has been rejected and he will remain in kalaallit jails until at least September 5, 2024, the activist could be extradited to Japan if the Danish Ministry of Justice, which has retained its prerogatives despite Kalaallit Nunaat’s increased autonomy, so decides (Sermitsiaq, August 20). In Kalaallit Nunaat, Paul Watson remains associated with pressure on Inuit hunters and Inuit ways of life (Mediapart, July 23). At the end of July, Arctic Command rescued the pilots whose plane had crashed into the open ocean near Qaqortoq, in southern Kalaallit Nunaat (Sermitsiaq, July 29). Search and rescue capabilities are becoming an increasingly important issue as commercial and tourist activity intensifies in the region (High North News, August 1). On the climate front, “the Paris Agreement is not just a symbolic act”, said UN Climate Secretary Simon Stiell, commenting on Kalaallit Nunaat’s accession to the Paris Agreement at a time when temperatures in the Arctic are rising four times faster than in the rest of the world. The Minister for Agriculture, Self-Sufficiency, Energy and the Environment, Kalistat Lund, has indicated that he will develop a climate strategy following local consultation throughout the country (Sermitsiaq, July 3). At UN level, the President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), Sara Olsvig, has been appointed to the Expert Group on Rare Minerals for Energy Transition, to ensure that the recommendations made by the working group are in line with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Its presence is all the more important given that 54% of critical mineral deposits known to date are located on or near the territories of indigenous peoples (Sermitsiaq, July 14). In the kalaaleq parliament, Inatsisartut, the president of Naleraq’s party, Pele Broberg, known for his pro-independence stance, is going to propose a change to the rules of procedure so that the only language used will be Greenlandic, raising questions of national belonging for many Greenlanders who are not fluent in Kalaallisut, the national language (Sermitsiaq, August 6; Altinget, August 19). On the other hand, academic work to clearly establish the facts about the sterilization of Greenlandic girls and women from the 1960s onwards is currently being held up by the rejection of access to public health archives (Sermitsiaq, July 23; Sermitsiaq, July 25). Due to disputes with the Swedish presidency over the country’s secondary position, the President of the Greenland National Executive, Múte B. Egede, will not be taking part in the conference. Egede will not be taking part in the Nordic Council’s work or in the annual session in Reykjavik this autumn (Altinget, August 21). This summer, several towns were visited by polar bears, resulting in several preventive culls, notably in Ittoqqortoormiit, on the east coast. A researcher from a German research team on Traill Island, near Mestersvig in eastern Greenland, was attacked by a polar bear (Sermitsiaq, July 30). Finally, the US Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, recently met with the Danish Ministry of Defense and military leaders in Copenhagen, as well as exchanging views with Faroese Foreign Minister Høgni Hoydal, to discuss the Russian threat and opportunities for increased cooperation in the Arctic and North Atlantic. The Faroe Islands, which will shortly be opening an office in Washington, is committed in its Arctic strategy to enhanced cooperation with other allies in the Arctic and wider North Atlantic to actively contribute to the preservation of security and stability (High North News, August 19).

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Revue de mai : le Groenland suspend sa participation au Conseil Nordique, l’UE et les terres rares

English below.

Après avoir reçu une fin de non-recevoir de la part de la présidence suédoise du Conseil Nordique quant à la demande de participation pleine du Groenland, des îles Féroé et Åland, Múte B. Egede, le premier ministre groenlandais a mis en suspens sa participation au Conseil Nordique et au Conseil des Ministres nordiques jusqu’à ce que “le respect mutuel et l’égalité” soient rétablis (Naalakkersuisut, 7 mai). Le premier ministre groenlandais a précisé : “Je ne peux pas continuer à participer à des événements où il y a de la discrimination entre les participants.” (Sermitsiaq, 8 mai). Pour rappel, le Conseil Nordique (N5) regroupe le Danemark, la Suède, la Norvège, la Finlande et l’Islande. En 2023, la résidence islandaise avait invité les N8 (N5 + le Groenland, les îles Féroé et Åland) au sommet estival (Altinget, 2 mai). Ce boycott groenlandais doit être compris à la lumière de la nouvelle stratégie étrangère, de sécurité et de défense “Greenland in the world – nothing about us, without us”, dans laquelle le Grenland entend jouer un rôle prédominant dans les instances de gouvernance régionale (voir ici). Plus tôt, le demande pour plus d’égalité au sein du Conseil Nordique formulé par les îles Féroé avait été sèchement rejetée (Altinget, 2 mai). A ce sujet, les îles Féroés ont voté leur nouvelle stratégie arctique dans laquelle est réaffirmée la volonté “d’obtenir une voix indépendante dans toutes les organisations et tous les domaines de coopération concernés” (Eye on the Arctic, 13 mai). Par contraste à la situation au sein du Conseil Nordique, la récente visite d’Ursula von der Leyen aux îles Féroé et au Groenland, et la future présidence danoise du Conseil de l’UE en 2025, augure d’un renforcement de leur coopération avec l’Union Européenne (Altinget, 29 avril). Sur le plan régional, le Groenland pourrait aussi bénéficier d’un rôle accru au sein du Conseil de l’Arctique, lorsque le Danemark en prendra la présidence tournante en 2025 (High North News, 14 mai). La question des matières premières et des terres rares est particulièrement scrutée par les dirigeantes et dirigeants européens, alors que fin 2023, le Naalakkersuisut (gouvernement groenlandais) et l’UE ont conclu un accord de partenariat sur les chaînes de valeur durables pour les matières premières (voir ici). Le Groenland possède 25 des 34 matières premières que la Commission européenne considère comme essentielles pour pouvoir produire, entre autres, des éoliennes et des voitures électriques. Soulignant l’échec de la Chine avec le Groenland à ce sujet, Margrethe Vestager, Commissaire européen à la Concurrence,  considère que si des mesures incitatives européennes sont possibles “ce sont les Groenlandais qui doivent décider en premier lieu de la manière dont ils souhaitent que ces ressources soient utilisées. Et il est absolument essentiel que ce soient les Groenlandais qui soient chargés de déterminer comment cela deviendra une réalité” (Altinget, 7 mai). Au Danemark, le parlement a voté un nouvel accord de défense à hauteur de 95 milliards de couronnes sur 2024-2033, lequel prévoit la création d’une brigade prête au combat de 6 000 soldats, l’acquisition d’une défense aérienne basée au sol et l’extension de la conscription à 11 mois (Altinget, 1 mai). Un accord séparé a également été conclu sur l’égalité totale dans la conscription ; les femmes pourront donc être obligées de faire leur service militaire à partir du 1er janvier 2027 (Altinget, 30 avril). Enfin, aux Nations Unis, Sara Olsvig, la porte parole de l’Iuit Circumpolar Council, s’est inquiétée des conséquences de la diminution des contributions des États à l’ONU sur les droits des peuples autochtones (Sermitsiaq, 3 mai). L’an dernier, le rapporteur spécial sur les droits des peuples autochtones, José Francisco Calí Tzay avait dans son rapport dénoncé les discriminations subies par les groenlandaises et les groenlandais dans l’accès à leurs droits, ainsi que les politiques danoises particulièrement violentes (notamment la campagne de stérilisation des filles et des femmes dans les années 1960-70) (voir ici).

– May Review: Greenland suspends its participation in the Nordic Council, the EU and rare earths

After receiving a refusal from the Swedish presidency of the Nordic Council to allow Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland to participate fully, Múte B. Egede, Greenland’s prime minister, has put his participation in the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers on hold until “mutual respect and equality” are re-established. Egede, the Greenlandic Prime Minister has suspended his participation in the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers until “mutual respect and equality” are re-established (Naalakkersuisut, May 7). The Greenlandic Prime Minister clarified, “I cannot continue to participate in events where there is discrimination between participants.” (Sermitsiaq, May 8). The Nordic Council (N5) comprises Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland. In 2023, the Icelandic residence had invited the N8 (N5 + Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland) to the summer summit (Altinget, May 2). This Greenlandic boycott must be understood in the light of the new foreign, security and defense strategy “Greenland in the world – nothing about us, without us”, in which Grenland intends to play a predominant role in regional governance bodies (see here). Earlier, the Faroe Islands’ request for greater equality within the Nordic Council was curtly rejected (Altinget, May 2). On this subject, the Faroe Islands have voted in their new Arctic strategy, which reaffirms the desire “to obtain an independent voice in all relevant organizations and areas of cooperation” (Eye on the Arctic, May 13). In contrast to the situation within the Nordic Council, Ursula von der Leyen’s recent visit to the Faroe Islands and Greenland, and Denmark’s forthcoming presidency of the EU Council in 2025, augurs well for closer cooperation with the European Union (Altinget, April 29). On a regional level, Greenland could also benefit from an enhanced role in the Arctic Council, when Denmark takes over the rotating presidency in 2025 (High North News, May 14). The issue of raw materials and rare earths is under particular scrutiny by European leaders, as at the end of 2023, the Naalakkersuisut (Greenlandic government) and the EU signed a partnership agreement on sustainable value chains for raw materials (see here). Greenland possesses 25 of the 34 raw materials that the European Commission considers essential for the production of wind turbines and electric cars, among other things. Pointing to China’s failure with Greenland in this respect, Margrethe Vestager, European Commissioner for Competition, considers that if European incentives are possible “it is the Greenlanders who must decide in the first instance how they want these resources to be used. And it is absolutely essential that it is the Greenlanders who are responsible for determining how this becomes a reality” (Altinget, May 7). In Denmark, parliament passed a new 95 billion kroner defense agreement for 2024-2033, which includes the creation of a 6,000-strong combat-ready brigade, the acquisition of ground-based air defense and the extension of conscription to 11 months (Altinget, May 1). A separate agreement was also reached on total equality in conscription; women could therefore be obliged to do military service from January 1, 2027 (Altinget, April 30). Finally, at the United Nations, Sara Olsvig, spokeswoman for the Iuit Circumpolar Council, expressed concern about the consequences of the reduction in state contributions to the UN on the rights of indigenous peoples (Sermitsiaq, May 3). Last year, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, José Francisco Calí Tzay, denounced in his report the discrimination suffered by Greenlanders in access to their rights, as well as particularly violent Danish policies (notably the campaign to sterilize girls and women in the 1960s-70s) (see here).