Security through cooperation has been the core concept of all international fora, from the United Nations to the European Union and also the Arctic Council. After a period of global policy cohesion and a spirit of collaboration following the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, the world is yet again becoming more polarized. This shift in climate can be felt in particular in the Arctic where territorial delimitations and oversight are less rigid. At the same time, climate change is not only promising a range of new opportunities such as new sea routes and better access to natural resources, but also a wealth of challenges, from crumbling infrastructure to health impacts to environmental damage.
In a scenario of competing nations, the outcome is most likely worse as compared to a scenario of cooperation. As governments seem unable at the moment to find a way out of populist and symbolistic politics, non-state actors may play an even more significant role than they have in the past.
This session will discuss the potential contribution by think tanks for improving cooperation both among Arctic and non-Arctic countries. Key questions that panelists will view to answer:
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