Asian States in the Arctic, Soft Institutes, Arctic Security and NATO
Alexandra Middleton
Arctic and Sustainability Researcher| Sustainability reporting, ESG, TNFD, TCFD | Science Diplomacy. Circular economy in the Arctic | Citizen Science Ambassador for Finland | Fulbright Arctic Initiative Fellow
Commentaries on the US Arctic Extended Continental Shelf Claim
Canada
Canada has committed to collaborating with the United States after the U.S. asserted claims to the Arctic sea floor that overlap with Canada's interests. Despite the U.S. not ratifying the Convention on the Law of the Sea, Canada plans to follow the UN treaty process. The dispute involves the delineation of the border, with Canada and the U.S. differing on the direction. The U.S., although not a signatory, asserts adherence to the convention's definition as customary international law. This move is seen as a positive step for international law by Professor Rob Huebert. Canada's 2019 claim now overlaps with Russia, Denmark, and the U.S., adding complexity to resolution efforts amid global geopolitical tensions. The submission aims to bring 1.2 million square kilometers of sea floor, including the disputed Beaufort Sea region, under Canadian control, potentially harboring significant oil reserves. The assessment process by the UN body is expected to span several years. (Source: here )
Wilson Center
Evan Bloom , Senior Fellow at the Polar Institute and former Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries, presents "Five Takeaways from the US Continental Shelf Announcement" in his analysis published on January 3, 2024. The article provides insight into the complex and significant nature of the U.S. ECS announcement
The announcement, made on December 19, 2023, is deemed essential for safeguarding long-term U.S. national interests, particularly in economically valuable undersea territories. The process, guided by Article 76 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), allows the U.S. to declare sovereign rights over approximately one million square kilometers of subsea territory. The effort involved extensive scientific data collection and evaluation by 14 federal agencies over many years. The ECS determination is not confined to the Arctic, having implications for six other regions. The U.S. Arctic ECS aligns with its Arctic policy outlined in the National Strategy for the Arctic Region. International implications arise as the declaration clarifies the majority of Arctic seabed falls under national jurisdiction, fostering orderly procedures for resource allocation. The article highlights cooperative discussions among Arctic states, emphasizing ECS overlaps were anticipated and are being addressed through negotiation. The U.S. ECS partially overlaps with areas of Canada, The Bahamas, and Japan, requiring future maritime boundary establishment. Notably, there is no need for future negotiations with Russia due to previously delineated boundaries. The decision not to submit to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and the potential long-term benefits of such a submission are discussed, acknowledging the inherent right of coastal states to ECS.
Asian States and Arctic Governance
The article "Science diplomacy and Asian states: Transforming the governance landscape in the Arctic" by Gabriela Argüello and Vonintsoa Rafaly discusses the changing governance of the Arctic due to the increasing involvement of Asian states. The authors note that the Arctic has now become a global object of governance, with the growing political salience of the Arctic Ocean generating interest in its governance beyond Arctic states. Asian states such as China, India, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea have actively participated in regional cooperation arrangements, including the Arctic Council, and have become significant Arctic stakeholders. However, the authors also highlight the challenges related to Asian states' involvement in Arctic governance. The potential access to natural resources and interests in developing novel trade routes could lead to a "resource rush" or "grabbing" of Arctic resources, at the expense of environmental protection. Moreover, Asian states' engagement could alter Indigenous cultural heritage and natural preservation in the Arctic, and their actions might further fragment Arctic governance. The authors emphasize the need to maintain a manageable balance between the West and Russia and to ensure the participation of non-state actors, including subnational regions and Indigenous participants, in Arctic governance
Soft Institutions in Arctic Governance
The article by Beate Steinveg , Svein Vigeland Rottem and Serafima Andreeva examines roles and functions of three key arenas for cooperation and discussion regarding the challenges and opportunities in the Arctic: the Arctic Council, Arctic Frontiers, and the Arctic Circle Assembly. According to the authors, soft institutions are non-binding and informal arrangements that facilitate cooperation and coordination among actors in a particular policy area. They are often characterized by flexible rules, voluntary participation, and a focus on building trust and consensus among stakeholders. Examples of soft institutions in Arctic governance include the Arctic Council, Arctic Frontiers, and the Arctic Circle Assembly. These institutions play a supplementary role in providing arenas for non-Arctic states and non-state actors to have their voices heard, even if not in formal policymaking and decision-making processes.
The authors aim to contribute to role clarification and correct misunderstandings by asking two questions: “What role do Arctic Frontiers, the Arctic Circle and the Arctic Council play in shaping policy in and for the Arctic?” and “What exactly is the difference between the Arctic Council and Arctic conferences?”. The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum with permanent membership and politically binding decisions, while Arctic Frontiers and the Arctic Circle Assembly are open meeting places for interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange and do not have decision-making power. All three institutions contribute to Arctic governance, but they have different mandates, memberships, and functions. The Arctic Council focuses on environmental protection and sustainable development in the Arctic region, while Arctic conferences provide a supplementary role in providing arenas for non-Arctic states and non-state actors to have their voices heard.
The findings from the article highlight the significant impact of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine on Arctic governance. The war has led to challenges in producing and transferring knowledge within the Arctic Council's research networks, as well as obstacles to maintaining cooperation and dialogue within the region. The limited access to Russian participation in Arctic forums has raised questions about the future of Arctic cooperation and the Arctic Council's role as a knowledge producer. Additionally, the conflict has led to a temporary pause in Arctic Council activities and has affected the ability of the Arctic states to develop a common understanding regarding climate change in the region. Overall, the findings emphasize the far-reaching implications of the current geopolitical situation on Arctic governance, particularly in terms of knowledge production, knowledge transfer, and the future of cooperation and dialogue within the region.
领英推荐
Canadian Arctic Shipment
The NRC Canadian Arctic Shipping Risk Assessment System (CASRAS) Report for Fiscal Year 2021-22 highlights several achievements made in enhancing the safety and efficiency of marine operations in the Canadian Arctic through better access to environmental data and regional information.
The NRC Canadian Arctic Shipping Risk Assessment System (CASRAS) has made significant progress in improving the safety and efficiency of marine operations in the Canadian Arctic. Some of the key achievements include integrating short-term ice forecasts, developing new datasets, collaborating with partners to improve the platform, developing a new web app for enhanced accessibility, and fixing identified bugs. Additionally, NRC has obtained access to additional data, such as public bathymetry data and historical and current ice charts, which are important for assessing Arctic marine risks. These achievements demonstrate the commitment of NRC and its partners to enhancing the safety and efficiency of shipping activities in the Canadian Arctic region.
In the future, the NRC's Canadian Arctic Shipping Risk Assessment System (CASRAS) plans to:
NATO’s Threats and Russia’s Balancing Policy in the Arctic
The article "NATO’s Threats and Russia’s Balancing Policy in the Arctic " by Reza Ekhtiari Amiri and Javad Shafaghatnia Abad focuses on the escalating competition between NATO and Russia in the Arctic due to environmental changes and global warming.
Key points of the article include:
Search and Rescue in the Arctic
The incident involving the Air Tindi charter occurred at lunchtime on Wednesday, December 28, 2023. Twin Otter aircraft, equipped with skis, experienced an unspecified incident around lunchtime in a remote area approximately 300 km northeast of Yellowknife. The evacuation of passengers and crew from the Arctic, following an incident with an Air Tindi charter, faced challenges due to the remote location and adverse weather. The Twin Otter aircraft, with skis, experienced issues around lunchtime 300 km northeast of Yellowknife. Initial rescue efforts were hindered by strong winds, but conditions improved overnight. Search-and-rescue technicians parachuted from a Hercules aircraft dispatched from Winnipeg, showing resilience in Arctic conditions. Collaborative efforts among competing companies, including Great Slave, Acasta HeliFlight, and three A-Star helicopters, facilitated the swift transfer of 13 individuals to the Diavik diamond mine. The mine's emergency response team, using snowmobiles, provided vital equipment. The Diavik airstrip coordinated medevac operations, ensuring casualties reached Yellowknife for treatment. Despite injuries, all 13 individuals safely arrived in Yellowknife by 4:30 pm the following day. This incident underscores the challenges of Arctic rescue operations and the importance of collaborative responses. (Source: here )
Hope you enjoyed reading this newsletter! Till next week!
Yours,
Alexandra Middleton