The report provides an overview of the Arctic with focus on the human activities and how they are affected by climate change, economic opportunities and changing geopolitical situation. The report gives a summary of the Arctic Council working groups and the Indigenous Peoples’ organisations, the main economic activities, research, infrastructure, technologies and services. All these factors are needed for sustainable development in the region, bringing broad social and economic benefits within and beyond the Arctic region. The report is complementary to the specific topics presented in the workpackages from WP1 to WP7, which have focus on studying the development of standards, guidelines and practices for environmental protection, economic development and other activities in the Arctic.