Arctic Nation Summit in Greenland
Arctic nations held a summit in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, on Thursday. Their discussions centered around responsible exploration of the Arctic as fast-melting ice and snow open access to rich mineral and petroleum resources.
The Arctic Council, made up of eight countries that surround the Arctic and representatives of indigenous Arctic peoples, signed a deal to split up search-and-rescue responsibilities. The deal in Greenland is the council's first binding agreement. Officials say it could be a model for future pacts on more contentious issues, including energy exploration and development. The region is estimated to hold as much as 25 per cent of the world's undiscovered oil and gas reserves.