Arctic Maritime and Aviation Transportation Infrastructure Initiative (AMATII) (USA, Iceland, Canada)
Questions raised earlier about this project have been resolved through bilateral discussions among stakeholders. All delegations were now satisfied with the project proposal. AMATII is a direct response to the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA). It would complement and support a number of Arctic Council initiatives. AMATII would not be a directive on Arctic infrastructure development; rather, it would be a valuable tool the Arctic States could use to guide their own policy and development decisions.
Even with the delays that the project encountered it is still believed that Phase I will be delivered in time for the Ministerial meeting in May of 2013.

Circumpolar-Wide Inuit Response to the AMSA (ICC) (Canada)
This proposal is a response to AMSA recommendations which aim to protect Inuit seas and coastal zones. The project explores the effects of Arctic shipping through traditional knowledge and by expanding on the ICC Canada’s survey of Inuit sea and sea-ice use – The Sea Ice is Our Highway (2008). Phase-I will communicate AMSA findings to Inuit and seek their guidance on methodology and moving AMSA forward. Phase-II will expand on the ICC survey to include three additional regions –Chukotka (RF), Alaska (US), and Greenland (DK) within the Inuit homeland. The expanded survey will assess how current use of the sea and sea-ice is impacted by Arctic shipping and compares with earlier land use studies.

Other Items with specific SDWG implications:
The Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment – led by the PAME working group, the implementation of the report’s recommendations were discussed. SDWG has encountered delays in completing the cultural component of the report responding to recommendation IIc. PAME has released a draft of this report for review excluding the cultural component. The absence of this segment was highlighted by both Canada and the US. They underscored the need for the SDWG to make every effort to complete its segment of the work as quickly as possible.
Efforts have been made to contact both the PAME and SDWG project teams members with the anticipation of initiating a review process as quickly as possible. It is expected that this process should be completed by no later than the end of September, 2012.
Follow up: A separate email will be sent by the SDWG Executive Secretariat to delegations on this issue.

The Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks, SAON is chaired by the Arctic Council
(Thomas Armstrong), and the vice-chair is held by IASC (David Hik). A presentation was made of the important work being undertaken by the organization together with the five projects that are currently being reviewed for approval and implementation.
Follow-up: Discussions will be undertaken with Tom Armstrong to explore ways of developing a closer relationship between SAON and the SDWG.

The Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost Assessment Report (SWIPA) was presented by the AMAP working group. The executive summary of the report includes a list of policy relevant recommendations. Many of these findings have immediate implications to the inhabitants of the Arctic.
Follow-up: This report should be examined for possible implications to future SDWG activities.

The Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Programme (CBMP) was presented at the meeting. The CBMP is launching its Arctic Biodiversity Data Service. Piloted with CAFF‘s Circumpolar Seabird Group, the ABDS is an interoperable, distributed, web-based data platform that allows access to current and credible information on the status and trends in the Arctic‘s living resources.
Follow-up: This project is a major CAFF initiative with important implications to SDWG activities.

The Ecosystem Biodiversity Management Taskforce, chaired by Magnus Johannesson will be holding their next workshop in Gothenburg Sweden on April 18th, 19th. All working groups have been invited to make presentation of their work and priorities.
Follow-up: SDWG will provide input towards the Taskforce’s analysis and future recommendations to the Arctic Council.

The Arctic Change Assessment (ACA) proposal was not discussed in plenary. Despite efforts throughout the meeting in breakout discussion sessions, it became evident that no consensus existed among the delegations. At the eleventh hour Canada and Norway tabled a one page redraft of the project entitled “Adaptation Actions for a Changing Arctic”. The SAOs decided to deal with this proposal in Silent Procedure, requesting SAO Head of Delegations to submit modifications to the text by April 20th. If a consensus could be found then the project would be presented at the Deputy Minister meeting in November, 2012.
Follow up: A separate email will be sent by the SDWG Executive Secretariat to delegations on this issue.

The SAOs also made specific mention of the need to examine how Traditional Knowledge is collected and integrated into all Arctic Council activities. A workshop will be held with all Permanent Participants and Working Groups to discuss current difficulties and make recommendations as to how to move forward.
Follow-up: The SDWG is to coordinate these discussions and workshop.