IV 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 431 
Recognizing the importance of the Arctic Council and reaffirming the 
commitment of the United States to the Arctic Council. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 20, 2025 
Mr. BERA (for himself, Mr. AMODEI of Nevada, and Mr. KEATING) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the importance of the Arctic Council and re-
affirming the commitment of the United States to the 
Arctic Council. 
Whereas the United States became an Arctic Nation upon the 
purchase of Alaska in 1867; 
Whereas the Arctic Council was established on September 19, 
1996, through the Ottawa Declaration, to enhance co-
operation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic 
states with the active involvement of Arctic Indigenous 
peoples and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic 
issues; 
Whereas the United States is a founding member of the Arc-
tic Council and has twice served as Chair, from 1998 to 
2000, and again from 2015 to 2017; 
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•HRES 431 IH 
Whereas the Ottawa Declaration defines 8 states, Canada, 
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, 
and the United States, as Arctic states and members of 
the Arctic Council as they have sovereignty over territory 
in the Arctic region; 
Whereas the Arctic region is undergoing unprecedented envi-
ronmental, economic, and social changes due to the im-
pacts of climate change and increased human activity; 
Whereas the Council has an advanced understanding of Arc-
tic challenges through scientific assessments, policy rec-
ommendations, and collaborative initiatives; 
Whereas the engagement of Indigenous communities and re-
spect for traditional knowledge are integral to the Arctic 
Council’s success; 
Whereas the Council is the leading intergovernmental initia-
tive involving all Arctic states, raising global awareness 
of the Arctic’s significance and influencing international 
climate policies; 
Whereas the Arctic Council has addressed key issues such as 
persistent organic pollutants, oil spill prevention, search 
and rescue, and scientific collaboration; 
Whereas the Arctic Council emphasizes sustainable develop-
ment, environmental protection, and peace in the Arctic 
amidst growing competition over resources and shipping 
routes; 
Whereas the Arctic Council has played a vital role in main-
taining the Arctic as a region of low tension and its con-
tinued work is essential to ensuring a safe, secure, and 
stable Arctic for all; 
Whereas the Arctic Council has made significant contribu-
tions to understanding Arctic biodiversity, ocean health, 
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and sustainable resource management, while also ad-
dressing emerging threats such as microplastics and ship-
ping pollution; 
Whereas the United States has demonstrated leadership in 
Arctic affairs, notably through initiatives such as the 
Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, which provided a 
groundbreaking understanding of climate change impacts, 
and the International Circumpolar Surveillance system, a 
region-wide disease surveillance system led by the United 
States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 
Whereas the United States has supported collaborative Arctic 
Council initiatives such as the Circumpolar Wildland Fire 
Initiative, developed under Norway’s Chairship, in part-
nership with Gwich’in Council International; 
Whereas Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine has 
significantly impacted the operations of the Arctic Coun-
cil, raising concerns over Russia’s military modernization 
in the Arctic and reinforcing cooperative security ties 
among the 7 other Arctic states (A7); 
Whereas, in response to Russia’s invasion, the A7 states tem-
porarily paused participation in all Arctic Council meet-
ings; 
Whereas the European Union suspended cooperation with 
Russia in the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, leading to 
Russia’s withdrawal in 2023; 
Whereas, despite the suspension of cooperation with Russia, 
the Arctic Council and its working groups resumed activi-
ties in mid-2023; 
Whereas, in February 2024, Russia suspended annual pay-
ments to the Arctic Council until its participation was re-
instated; 
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