The United States has taken the helm of the Arctic Council and the eight-nation body is meeting in Anchorage this week.![The borders of the Arctic Ocean, according to the CIA The World Factbook[5] (blue area), and as defined by the IHO (black outline - excluding marginal waterbodies). Image: Wikimedia Commons.](https://media.alaskapublic.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Arctic_Ocean_-_en_IHO.png)
Nils Andreassen is the executive director of the Institute of the North. The Institute is facilitating the meetings. He says the U.S. has identified several priorities for its chairmanship of the Council.
Nils Andreassen is the executive director of the Institute of the North. As part of Council events in Anchorage, a youth forum tonight at the Alaska Native Heritage Center will feature speed interviews of senior Arctic officials.
On Friday, the Alaska World Affairs Council is hosting a lunchtime panel discussion on international cooperation in the arctic. Both events are open to the public.
Lori Townsend is the chief editor, senior vice president of journalism and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452. Read more about Lori here.
