VOA常速英语:Arctic Council - Stewards of the Far North(翻译)

The Arctic region is warming faster than any other region on earth, more than twice the rate of the global average according to recent reports.This means, among other things, that areas of the Arctic Ocean that were formerly inaccessible to humans are opening up for increased human traffic.
北极地区的变暖速度比地球上其他任何地区都要快，超过全球平均比率的两倍多，据最近的报告显示。此外，这就意味着以前人类难以接近的北冰洋地区正在因人流量的增加而对外开放。

But the warming of the Arctic raises the risks for fragile land and marine ecosystems,which must be managed through a balanced approach, lest they become damaged beyond recovery.
但北极的变暖为脆弱土地和海洋生态系统带来风险，这就必须通过一种平衡的方法来进行管理，以免它们被破坏到无法挽回的地步。

This is where the Arctic Council comes in. A high-level forum of the eight nations with territory in the region and representatives of indigenous peoples who live in the region,the biennial Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting gives Arctic nations and peoples a forum in which to address these concerns,balancing the protection of the Arctic’s fragile environment with responsible, sustainable development.
这就是北极理事会源起之地。由8个该区域的国家和生活在该区域的原住居民代表召开的一次高水平的论坛，每两年一次的北极理事会部长级会议为北极地区的国家和人民举办一次论坛以解决这些人们关注的问题，平衡保护北极脆弱环境和负责任的可持续发展之间的关系。

On May 10th and 11th, in Fairbanks, Alaska, the Council held its 10th Ministerial Meeting, which marked the conclusion of the two-year U.S. chairmanship of this body.Under U.S. leadership, the Council completed an assessment of the telecommunications infrastructure in the Arctic;launched a new Arctic Ship Traffic Database to keep track of vessels passing through the Arctic;and implemented two agreements signed by Council members during the last meeting, one on improving search-and-rescue in the Arctic region, and the second on preparing and responding to potential oil pollution incidents in the Arctic.
5月10日和11日，在阿拉斯加的费尔班克斯，该理事会举办了第10次部长级会议，这标志着为期两年的美国主席身份的结束。在美国的领导下，该理事会完成了对北极电信基础设施的评估；发布了一个新的北极船运数据库对通过北极的船只进行跟踪记录；并实施在上次会议中理事会成员签署的两项协议，一项关于完善北极地区的搜索与营救，第二项是关于准备和回应北极潜在的石油污染事件。

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the other foreign ministers also signed two documents at the Fairbanks Ministerial: a binding agreement that will promote scientific cooperation throughout the Arctic, and the Fairbanks Declaration, a non-binding statement that affirms the signatories’ commitment to maintain peace,stability, and constructive cooperation in the Arctic;promotes the economic development of indigenous peoples there;and recognizes that climate change is a serious threat to the Arctic, and calls for timely action to address this threat.
国务卿雷克斯·蒂勒森和其他外国部长也在费尔班克斯部长级会议上签署了两个文件：一项可以促进北极地区科学合作的有约束力的协议，以及费尔班克斯声明，一份不具约束力的声明用以确认签署人对维护北极和平、稳定和建设性合作的承诺；促进原住居民的经济发展；承认气候变化对北极地区而言是严重的威胁，并呼吁及时采取行动解决这一威胁。

“The United States had been privileged to lead the Arctic Council at a time when the Arctic region has been facing uNPRecedented change and challenges,”said Secretary Tillerson, who hosted the meeting as Chair of the Arctic Council.
“美国有幸领导北极理事会，当北极地区一直面对前所未有的变化和挑战时，”国务卿蒂勒森说，他作为北极理事会主席主持会议。

“The Arctic Council…has proven to be an indispensable forum in which we can pursue cooperation.I want to affirm that the United States will continue to be an active member in this Council.The opportunity to chair the Council has only strengthened our commitment to continuing its work in the future.”
“北极理事会…被证实是一个不可或缺的论坛，通过论坛我们可以寻求合作。我想确认美国将继续在理事会中扮演积极的角色。主持会议的机会仅仅加强了我们的承诺，即未来继续使理事会发挥作用。”