The members of the Arctic Council are Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States.

In 2004, a Russian representative served as Chairman of the Arctic Council.

In 2013, China became an official observer state of the Arctic Council.

Representatives of six local Arctic communities have permanent seats on the Arctic Council.

These representatives include the Aliu International Association, the Arctic Athabasca Council, the Gwich'in International Council, the Inuit Arctic Circle Conference, the Association of Indigenous Peoples of the Russian North and the Sami Council.

The chairmanship is held by eight member countries on a rotational basis every two years.

The first Presidency (1996-1998) was Canada; the second Presidency (1998-2000) was the United States; the third Presidency (2000-2002) was Finland; the fourth Presidency (2002)

-2004) Iceland; fifth Presidency (2004-2006) Russia; sixth Presidency (2006-2008) Norway; seventh Presidency (2009-2011) Denmark; eighth

Presidency (2011-2013) Sweden.

Permanent Observers The Arctic Council has permanent observers, including six non-Arctic countries: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom; international organizations: the Arctic Council, the World Conservation Union (IUCN), the International Red Cross, and Nordic

Council, United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Development Programme; NGOs: World Reindeer People Association, Arctic University and WWF Arctic Planning Group.

Official Observers: On May 15, 2013, China, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Singapore became official observers of the Council.

Although formal observer states do not have the right to vote in the Council, they automatically enjoy the right to participate in the Council, and also have the right to speak and propose projects.

The difference between special observers and permanent observers is that permanent observers are automatically invited to attend all meetings (although they may not participate in all), while special observers require approval to attend every meeting (although approval is already a routine matter).

In addition, the Arctic Council has a number of officially recognized observers, such as six non-Arctic countries - France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; several international organizations such as the Arctic Council, World Conservation

Alliance (IUCN), International Society of the Red Cross, Nordic Council, Nordic Forum, United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Development Program and several non-governmental organizations such as: World Reindeer People Association, Arctic University and WWF Arctic Planning Group.