The Arctic Circle Assembly underscored a pressing reality: the “status quo” will not take us anywhere. For decades, scientists, policymakers, and communicators have worked tirelessly to understand and explain the climate crisis, yet global progress remains painfully slow. Youth leaders at the HKH-Arctic Youth Leadership Forum argue that their generation must chart a different course; one ...

Understanding the Context

Call for Climate Action from the Hindu Kush Himalaya - Arctic Youth Governments, universities, companies, research institutions, organizations, associations, and others are invited to submit Session proposals for the 2026 Arctic Circle Assembly. For the Nordic countries, India therefore also presents an alternative to a “Near Arctic” China. The United States will inevitably have to maintain regional stability in the Arctic in order to maintain its image as the global hegemon and ensure rule-based navigation in the region. The future of Arctic security demands a serious evaluation of this new geopolitically tense environment and how climate change impacts the Arctic in unexpected ways that have strategic consequences.

Key Insights

By Gabriella Gricius The Northern Research Forum, as an Icelandic-Finnish initiative, was an example of a pioneering Northern partnership for dialogue- and knowledge-building. This international and expert-based platform for an open discussion, and a project for interdisciplinary research, on relevant Northern and global issues played an important role in Arctic expert cooperation. It was also important for ... The ongoing boycott of the Arctic Council – announced by the seven democratic member states (A7) three months ago on 3 March 2022 – was unexpected news to the six Permanent Participant organizations representing the indigenous peoples of the Arctic. While the Council is predicated upon the spirit of meaningful and inclusive participation of Arctic indigenous peoples, who hold special ...

Final Thoughts

The Arctic Council was established to promote sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic Region. It has provided effective cooperation between the eight Arctic States with many tangible results.