Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) hosted legislators from the eight Arctic countries at the meeting in Alaska on 24 February 2017 to discuss northern cooperation. One issue of great interest was whether the new US administration would provide any indication of its Arctic policy. However, neither Sen. Murkowski nor the State Department’s representative, Julia Gourley, had any Arctic policy news to report from Washington, D.C.

Head of Delegation Eirik Sivertsen, who chaired the meeting in Anchorage, described his expectations of the United States as follows:

“I definitely expect the US to continue its commitment to cooperation and development in the Arctic under the Trump administration. The US has done great work so far in leading government cooperation in the Arctic Council, with maritime matters, climate and economic development as key points.”

Cathy Cahill of the University of Alaska Fairbanks opened the meeting with a presentation on drone use in the Arctic, and noted that drones can be used for everything “dirty, dull and dangerous,” such as environmental surveillance and search and rescue operations.

At the ministerial meeting in Fairbanks on 11 May 2017, Finland will assume the Arctic Council chairmanship from the USA. Finnish officials have said they will focus on issues such as education and telecommunication during Finland’s 2017–2019 chairmanship.

“There is a need to strengthen educational collaboration in the Arctic countries,” said Mr Sivertsen. “In the Arctic, there are many small communities across vast expanses where cross-border cooperation – like student exchanges – can deliver great benefits. We share many of the same challenges, including those related to technology and inadequate infrastructure. As elected representatives we will cooperate closely with the Finnish chairmanship to see how we can use satellites, among other things, to improve broadband and communications access in the entire Arctic region.”