The Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment Working Group (PAME) is one of six Arctic Council working groups. PAME was first established under the 1991 Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy and was continued by the 1996 Ottawa Charter that established the Arctic Council. 

PAME is the focal point of the Arctic Council's activities related to the protection and sustainable use of the Arctic marine environment.  It has a specific mandate to keep under review the adequacy of global and regional legal, policy and other measures, and where necessary to make recommendations for improvements that would  support the Arctic Council's Arctic Marine Strategic Plan (2004).

PAME carries out activities as set out in bi-annual work plans approved by the Arctic Council on the recommendation of the Senior Arctic Officials. These activities led by PAME include circumpolar and regional action programmes and guidelines complementing existing legal arrangements aimed at protection of the Arctic marine environment from both land and sea-based activities. The Permanent Participants (Indigenous Organizations) of the Arctic Council participate actively in the work of PAME.  PAME works in close collaboration with the other five Arctic Council Working Groups.

The PAME Working Group (WG) consists of National Representatives responsible for its work in their respective countries. Permanent Participants, representing Arctic indigenous groups, also participate in PAME, as well as representatives of several observer countries and interested organisations. PAME provides a unique forum for collaboration on wide range of Arctic marine environmental issues.

The PAME WG generally meets twice a year to assess progress of work, discuss program priorities and develop its biennial work plans.

The PAME WG is headed by a chair and vice-chair,which rotate among the Arctic countries and is supported by an International Secretariat. PAME reports to the Senior Arctic Officilas, and through them, to the Ministers of the Arctic Council that meets every two years.

The PAME Chair for 2011 -2013:

Mr. Magnus Johannesson
Secretary General
Ministry of the Environment, Iceland
Tel: + +354 545 8600
Fax: +354 562 4566
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The PAME WG operates by the Arctic Council Rules of Procedures, as further specified in PAME Operating Guidelines

Arctic Council Rules of Procedures
PAME Operating Guidelines