Recommendation 25

Partially agree. 24. The UK recognises the importance of close cooperation with the Arctic states and the Arctic Council in relation to search and rescue and disaster preparedness response. We participate in a range of projects, including two Horizon 2020 research projects, designed to address challenges in the Arctic and North-Atlantic region in dealing with disasters in light of the cold climate, remoteness and lack of infrastructure. This includes the need, where necessary, to be able to counter security and safety threats that will result from increased commercial activity in the region, including traffic through the Northern passages, offshore oil and gas activity, as well as cruise traffic. 25. HM Coastguard actively participates alongside Arctic search and rescue services and cruise operators in the annual joint search and rescue event and exercise facilitated by the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators and is a member of the Search and Rescue Experts Group of the Arctic Council’s Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Response Working Group. HM Coastguard also maintains search and rescue agreements, as per the requirements of the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979, and Annex 12 of the International Convention on Civil Aviation, 1944, with its Arctic neighbours (Canada, Denmark, Norway and the United States) to ensure effective cooperation in search and rescue matters.