Pollution Further details on the cooperation subjects in the Arctic Council .1 Climate

56 Document 3:3 2014–2015 Report Formally established in 2013, the Arctic Council Secretariat has offices in the Fram Centre in Tromsø. The Ministry of the Foreign Affairs believes a permanent secretariat can foster better continuity and administration in the Arctic Council. Photo: Ann Kristin Balto, Norwegian Polar Institute of a total of approximately seven full-time employees, while AMAP’s secretariat has four employees. In comparison, SDWG’s secretariat has one position while EPPR uses staf who total one position. The Ministry of Foreign Afairs noted that a position has been created in 2014 in the Arctic Council Secretariat in Tromsø that will provide secretariat functions for ACAP and EPPR. It was pointed out in interviews that rotating secretariats are an organisational weak- ness that places limitations on the work of the individual working group. Contacts and working methods must be rebuilt with each change of chairmanship, and institutional memory is insuicient. Working groups with a permanent secretariat have greater implementation capability because they usually have more resources available and knowledge of how work in the Arctic Council takes place. Permanent secretariats often receive extra support and attention from their host country. 54 These views are consistent with Kankaanpää’s and Young’s 2012 Arctic Council study, which concludes that a permanent secretariat for the Arctic Council and stronger secretariats in the working groups have great signiicance for improving the eiciency and performance of the Arctic Council. In 2013, a permanent secretariat was formally established for the Arctic Council in Tromsø, where Norway, as the host country, foots almost 50 per cent of the total cost. The majority of stakeholders administration and working groups that have been interviewed in this audit are in favour of the establishment of the secretariat. The Ministry of Foreign Afairs believes that the permanent secretariat can provide continuity and expertise in organisational issues, which will make up for the lack of continuity due to change of the chairmanship of the Arctic Council every two years. It was noted that ACAP and EPPR have placed administrative functions with the secretariat in Tromsø. 55 Both ACAP and EPPR believe that the permanent secretariat will help strengthen the work of the working groups. 56 54 Interview with EPPR on 8 May 2013, answers to list of questions from ACAP on 7 June 2013 and interview with the Norwegian Environment Agency on 13 June 2013. 55 Interview with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 14 June 2013. 56 Answers to list of questions from ACAP on 7 June 2013 and interviews with EPPR on 8 May 2013.