Greenland’s Foreign Minister Calls Opening of Canadian Consulate a “Historic” Moment
By: Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada 13/2/2026
NUUK, Greenland — Canada has formally opened a new consulate in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, a milestone that officials on both sides of the Arctic describe as historic and significant for deepening cooperation between the two northern neighbours.
The ceremony on Feb. 6, 2026, saw Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand raise the Canadian flag outside the diplomatic mission, with the crowd breaking into a spontaneous rendition of O Canada. Also present was Mary Simon, Canada’s Governor General and the first Indigenous person to hold that office. Inuit leaders from Canada joined the event to show support and solidarity.
Vivian Motzfeldt, Greenland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, hailed the opening as a “historic day”, emphasizing that the new consulate represents more than a building — it’s a sign of strengthened friendship and future cooperation. She confirmed plans for Greenland to open its own diplomatic mission in Canada by 2028.
Minister Anand highlighted the broader importance of the mission, saying the consulate will help Canadians and Greenlanders work together on defence, security, climate change, economic ties and Arctic cooperation. She stressed that the relationship with Greenland and Denmark is not short term but rather long-lasting.
The arrival of the Canadian consulate comes amid heightened global focus on the Arctic, where melting ice and geopolitical competition have raised the stakes. While plans for a Canadian diplomatic presence in Nuuk were first announced in December 2024, the initiative has taken on greater significance recently as international attention has sharpened on the region.
At the event, leaders also stressed the shared cultural heritage between Arctic peoples. Inuit leaders spoke of the deep historic connections between Inuit communities in Canada and Greenland, and underlined the importance of cooperation that respects the autonomy and self-determination of Indigenous peoples.
With the consulate now officially open, Ottawa hopes it will broaden bilateral ties — from commercial exchanges and transportation links to joint efforts on environmental issues and enhanced people-to-people engagement across the Arctic.
