46 nations have been granted permanent observer status by the Arctic Council . China , Japan , South Korea , South Korea , Italy and Italy became permanent observers . The EU 's bid has been `` deferred '' , possibly due to an unresolved dispute with Canada . Melting ice in the the North Sea Route region has opened up Arctic , cutting shipping times .
Six nations have been granted permanent observer status by the Arctic Council . China , Japan , India , South Korea , Singapore and Italy became permanent observers . The EU 's bid has been `` deferred '' , possibly due to an unresolved dispute with Canada . Melting ice in the Arctic region has opened up the North Sea Route , cutting shipping times .