The Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (CPAR)
The Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (CPAR) is a forum for political dialogue between parliamentarians, that is, member of national parliaments, in the Arctic region. The purpose of this cooperation is to promote matters of importance for the Arctic region and its population. The focus is on the conditions for addressing the challenges and utilising the opportunities in a changed Arctic.
The conference is the parliamentary equivalent to the Arctic Council and participates in the Council's work as an observer.
The Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region takes place every other year and gathers parliamentarians from the eight national parliaments in the Arctic states and the European Parliament. Representatives of indigenous peoples are also included as permanent participants. Observers from parliaments and organisations with an interest in developments in the Arctic region also participate in the conference. The first conference was held in Reykjavik in 1993.
Adopts resolutions
At the conference, the parliamentarians deal with specific policy areas that are important to the region. Special importance is attached to climate change, economic developments in the region and a sustainable use of natural resources, the living conditions of the population and civil security in the region.
During the conference, government representatives give an account of work in the Arctic Council. The conference closes with the parliamentarians adopting a non-binding resolution containing recommendations to the governments of the Arctic states, the Arctic Council and – where relevant – the EU institutions.
The Standing Committee is the permanent political body of the CPAR. The Committee's primary task is to prepare the annual conference and to follow up resolutions. Ahead of each conference, the Committee appoints rapporteurs for the various themes of the coming conference.
The Swedish delegation
The Speaker appoints the Swedish delegation after consulting the party group leaders in the Riksdag for one term of office, that is four years. The delegation consists of five members, including one chair and one deputy chair. Each year, the delegation gives an account of its activities as part of the Nordic Council's annual report. The report is considered by the Committee on Foreign Affairs and a debate is held in the Chamber.
The members of the Riksdag delegation to the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region