The Strategy is a declaration on the protection of the Arctic environment and is comprised of a number of component parts, beginning with a statement of objectives. These objectives establish the broad direction in which the eight Arctic countries intend to move. The objectives are accompanied by statements of principle that are designed to guide the actions of Arctic countries individually and collectively, as they move toward the achievement of the objectives. The Strategy also describes the problems and priorities that the eight Arctic countries agree need to be addressed at this time.
Tools, whether legal, scientific or administrative, are also reviewed in order to define appropriate mechanisms for implementation of the Strategy. This is particularly relevant to that section of the Strategy which defines the specific actions that the eight countries will undertake jointly or individually to deal with priority issues and pollution problems. The implementation of the Strategy will be carried out through national legislation and in 8 accordance with international law, including customary international law as reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Finally, the Strategy outlines plans for future cooperation towards the implementation of the Strategy.