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© Aningaaq R. Carlsen, Visit Greenland

A People-First Approach to Sustainable Development in the Arctic

May 12, 2025
Arctic PeoplesThe Kingdom of DenmarkSustainable Development Working Group
The Kingdom of Denmark’s vision for sustainable development in the Arctic

Article by:
The Kingdom of Denmark (Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Denmark)

In May 2025, the Kingdom of Denmark will assume the Chairship of the Arctic Council as well as the Chairship of the Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG), for the period 2025-2027.
A key priority for our upcoming Chairship will be to ensure that the Council’s work remains relevant and valuable to the people living in the Arctic region, particularly the Indigenous Peoples, bringing the Council’s work even closer to the people who call the Arctic their home. Ensuring that the Council's work is done for and led by the people of the Arctic will be a central guiding principle for our work. This includes projects and initiatives in the Council’s Working Groups, who play an important role in ensuring that initiatives in the Arctic stay relevant for the people living in the region.

A main task and focus of SDWG is to advance sustainable development and improve environmental, economic and social conditions of Indigenous Peoples and Arctic communities. A goal that the Kingdom of Denmark shares and strives to promote during our incoming Chairship. To that extent, we will strive to ensure that the interpretation and advancement of sustainable development is guided by the interests and needs of the people living in the Arctic.

The Arctic is rapidly changing, and the Peoples of the Arctic are continually facing new challenges and opportunities as a result of climate change and economic developments, as well as increased uncertainty and instability in the world. In order to effectively deal with these challenges and seize these new opportunities, efforts and attention must be dedicated specifically towards sustainable economic development within the region. We wish to further develop this field, focusing on present and future economic activities, while ensuring that initiatives benefit communities in the Arctic and advance economic empowerment of Indigenous Peoples.

We know that working in Arctic conditions requires certain expertise and knowledge. Many people and communities in the Arctic have developed successful businesses and economic growth, and there is a need to connect and utilize this expertise even more between the communities in the Arctic, and to foster greater North-to-North cooperation, as well as partnerships with other relevant stakeholders.

While the melting of the Arctic ice may create economic opportunities, climate change and the accelerating biodiversity loss place significant stress on the cultures and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples. Sustainable development in the Arctic must address these challenges and be reflected in the Council’s activities. We will continue the focus on the human dimension of the Arctic Council, with a particular focus on strengthening the participation of Indigenous Peoples and the engagement of Indigenous Knowledge.

Furthermore, we will continue to support SDWG’s role in advancing human health approaches to the benefit of all Arctic Council Working Groups, and we will work with all Arctic States, Permanent Participants and Observers of the Arctic Council to address holistic health approaches with Indigenous Peoples.


© Gunnar Gunnarsson, Visit Greenland

The Economy of the North

The Sustainable Development Working Group’s Economy of the North project (ECONOR) has been essential in providing a comprehensive analysis of Arctic economies, encompassing both market-based industries and traditional nature-based livelihoods. The project report, ECONOR V, will launch in 2025 and serve as a key resource for shaping economic policies that prioritize sustainability and equity.The report examines key economic trends, including the impacts of climate change, the rise of Indigenous-led businesses and the expanding blue economy in regional economies. A primary objective is to enhance the knowledge base for informed decision-making, ensuring economic growth respects cultural integrity and environmental sustainability. Under the Norwegian Chairship of the Arctic Council, a priority is integrating ECONOR V’s findings into policy discussions, equipping governments and organizations with insights to foster economic empowerment and environmental stewardship among Arctic Indigenous Peoples. ECONOR V is led by Norway, and co-led by Canada, the United States, Saami Council, Gwich'in International Council, with contributions from institutions such as Université Laval, CICERO Center for International Climate Research, Statistics Norway, and other national statistical offices.

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