The New Partnership Between the United States and Greenland and Denmark

The United States and Denmark, including the Home Rule Government of Greenland, signed agreements in Igaliku, Greenland on August 6, 2004, that set up a Joint Committee to broaden and deepen cooperation between the United States and Greenland. The Joint Committee promotes concrete cooperation on a wide range of scientific, environmental, economic, commercial, and educational areas. Representatives of the three parties first met in the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, October 5-6, 2004. Since then, cooperation has advanced considerably and is already producing signficant results with programs, projects, and partnerships across many agencies. Washington hosted the second meeting of the Joint Committee May 18-20, 2005, delivering on the Igaliku agreements. In this ongoing process, Denmark will host the next meeting of the Joint Committee in Copenhagen in the first half of 2006. Some illustrative examples of results include the following:

• Bringing Greenland’s Unique Culture to the U.S.: The National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution is hosting the biggest Greenland cultural program ever held in the United States.

• Climate Change: Research cooperation and a policy dialogue have been enhanced.

• Science/Energy: An agreement between the U.S. Geological Survey, Greenland Home Rule Government, and Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) concerning energy and scientific cooperation is being finalized.

• Environmental Site Surveys: Logistical cooperation on remote environmental site surveys and scientific research projects is starting.

• National Park Cooperation: U.S. officials are sharing their park and wildlife management experience with their Greenland counterparts.

• Education: Youth exchange programs are being promoted and expanded. Eligibility for participation in Fulbright programs has been extended to Greenland.

• English Language Programs: The visit of an English Language Specialist to Greenland laid the foundation for cooperation on English Language programs.

• Telemedicine: Alaskan experts are sharing their telemedicine expertise to help Greenland address medical needs in remote areas.

• Science and Education: Denmark has appropriated 10 million Danish Kroner (USD $1.7 million) to support natural science research in North East Greenland. Greenland schools will join the GLOBE science education program and are being linked with U.S. scientific projects. A U.S. scientist will work with the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources for two years.

• Mapping of Greenland: A framework for mapping cooperation has been established, including training opportunities and map exchanges.

• Cultural Cooperation: The Nuuk American Corner librarian received specialized training to boost educational and cultural ties. The U.S. Congress has appropriated USD $100,000 to support Inuit Youth.

• Arctic Construction: Alaskan expertise helped make a Housing Symposium in Sisimiut, Greenland, on energy-efficient construction a success.

• Energy Cooperation: A dialogue on Greenland hydrogen policy has been established aimed at international cooperation.

• Survey of Species: The first survey of species in North Star Bay in northwestern Greenland was completed and shared.

• Trade and Tourism: The Joint Committee launched a Trade and Tourism Working Group and over 20 entities from Greenland participated in Greenland’s biggest trade event ever abroad and in the United States.