Chair of the Arctic Council, Ministers, Permanent Participants, dear Excellences!
Buorre idit! Good morning!

First, I like to thank the hosts here in Reykjavik, Iceland, for their excellent chairmanship term, despite the difficult covid-19 times. Fortunately, we are moving towards brighter days. The spring in the Arctic has arrived. In Sápmi, the homeland of the Sámi people: the month of May is called Miessemánnu, meaning month of the reindeer calf. To see new-born reindeer calves taking their first steps is pure joy, and one of the highlights within reindeer husbandry which is of vital importance for the future of Sámi culture.

However, climate change is shifting the season earlier than before. How will this affect the vulnerable Arctic ecosystems that our culture depend on? We must continue to protect and maintain the health of the Arctic nature, as well as our communities and inhabitants for the future.

Talking about the future, I am happy to see that the Arctic Council encourage meaningful engagement with youth across the Arctic in a manner that support and inform the Council’s work and empower Arctic youth. I strongly support such a youth cooperation.

Finally, Mr. Chair,

I am pleased that the Russian Federation will chair the Council for the next period. I hear positive signals that are good news for my Sámi sisters and brothers who live on the Russian side of the borders. It is crucial that the environmental dimension goes hand in hand with the improvement of the well-being of people of the north. I also hope that the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, starting in 2022, will enhance the status of Kildin Sámi language and others languages spoken around the circumpolar Arctic.

I think this is in the spirit of the work of the Arctic Council. We create life that does not only look good on the outside, it also feels good on the inside!

Ollu giitu – Thank You!