The Arctic Messenger Gains a Voice - The Changing Arctic Environment: The Arctic Messenger - page 32

causes, and the potential risk to Arctic ecosystems including indigenous
peoples and other Arctic residents; and recommend actions required to reduce
risks to Arctic ecosystems.
4. The ministers assimilate the information they have received.
5. The ministers commit “to full implementation” (of the Rovaniemi and Ottawa
declarations) “and consideration of further measures to control pollutants and
reduce their adverse effects on the Arctic environment”.
6. The ministers resolve “to pursue together in other international fora those is-
sues affecting the Arctic environment which require broad international co-
operation”.
More recently, the Arctic Council approved an AMAP Strategic Framework 2010+ docu-
ment that summarizes the responsibilities of AMAP as follows (omitting references to geo-
graphical scope):
AMAP has a mandate to monitor and assess the status of the Arctic region with
respect to pollution (e.g., persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals,
radionuclides, acidification and petroleum hydrocarbons) and climate change
issues by documenting levels and trends, pathways and processes, and effects on
ecosystems and humans, and by proposing actions to reduce associated threats for
consideration by governments. This mandate is fulfilled through the
implementation of a circumpolar monitoring and assessment programme as
outlined in this strategic framework and in a separate monitoring plan document.
…
AMAP's primary function is to provide sound science-based information to inform policy
and decision-making processes in relation to issues covered by its mandate. AMAP aims
to make effective use of up-to-date information and results from monitoring and research
activities,andtopromoteandharmonizeactivitiesunderrelevantnationalandinternational
programmes that can support AMAP assessments.