TORILL EIDSHEIM (NORWAY)
OSCE PA President George Tsereteli (Georgia) appointed Torill Eidsheim (Norway) as Special Representative on Arctic Issues in May 2019.
She is a member of the Health and Care Services Committee and Chair of the Technology Group in the Norwegian Parliament, and has been a member of the Norwegian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly since 2013. From 2013 to 2107, she was a member of the Standing Committee on Transport and Communications and has also served as Deputy Chair the Conservative Party in Hordaland County.
As the Assembly’s Special Representative on Arctic Issues, Eidsheim works to raise awareness on issues impacting the High North, particularly those related to climate change and security, and to increase the OSCE PA’s joint work in the region with other international organizations.
She maintains contact with all relevant stakeholders dealing with the Arctic region and reports to the OSCE PA on relevant developments, proposing follow-up action when needed.
“Arctic issues are a matter of relevance for all OSCE countries. As a matter of fact, what happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic, but ripples throughout the globe,” said Eidsheim following her appointment on 24 May 2019. “Changes that affect us all will inevitably occur; this is why it is crucial to increase our collaborative efforts to prepare for the future.”
MANDATE
- Raise awareness in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly regarding Arctic issues
- Place a specific focus on challenges stemming from climate change and on its effects on society and security in and beyond the Arctic, working in close co-operation with the OSCE PA Second Committee
- Promote co-operation on Arctic issues within the OSCE PA among all Delegations, particularly within the Arctic region
- Maintain contact with and follow-up on the work of the OSCE regarding Arctic issues
- Maintain contact with and follow-up on the work of other international organizations, civil society, academia and all relevant stakeholders dealing with and involved in the Arctic region
- Monitor the situation in the Arctic region and report to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and to the President on relevant developments, proposing possible follow-ups when needed
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