The Circumpolar Infrastructure Task Force

The Institute of the North initiated and served as the Secretariat for the Circumpolar Infrastructure Task Force, a joint effort by Arctic governments to encourage transport and telecom links between Arctic nations. Sanctioned by the Arctic Council and the Northern Forum, the task force was funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The institute continues to advance CITF goals and objectives of CITF:

• Identifying opportunities for international cooperation to advance circumpolar infrastructure in the areas of aviation, land, telecommunications and maritime, linkages, with a special emphasis on the Northern Sea Route

• Gaining understanding of the economic impact of transportation and a commitment of the governments of the eight Arctic nations to invest in and develop the transportation and telecommunications infrastructure in the Arctic circumpolar region

• Enhancing aviation and maritime safety and capacity

• Exporting new technology which enhances safety and capacity