Arctic Cooperation, Talent for the Arctic, Mining in the Arctic and Critical Infrastructure

Dear readers, welcome to this week's edition of Arctic Highlights!

The topics covered:

1) Future of cooperation with Russia

2) Talent for the Arctic

3) Northern Sea Route

4) Mining in the Arctic

5) Threats to Critical Infrastructure

The 'Bear' in the Room: How do we prepare for the future with Russia?

The 2024 Arctic Circle Assembly featured a session titled "The 'Bear' in the Room: How do we prepare for the future with Russia?" This session focused on the challenges of scientific cooperation in the Arctic, particularly in light of geopolitical tensions with Russia. 

The session highlighted the importance of science diplomacy in fostering international cooperation and addressing shared challenges. Participants discussed the future of the Agreement on Enhancing Scientific Cooperation in the Arctic and the potential for future collaboration, especially considering the impact of geopolitical tensions on scientific research.

Key concerns included the potential for data censorship and falsification, the exclusion of Russia from Western research agendas, and the generational gap in relationships between scientists.

International Talent for the Arctic: Strategies and Challenges

The article publised this week in Arctic Yearbook examines the challenges and opportunities of attracting and integrating highly skilled migrants into the Finnish and Norwegian Arctic regions. The study highlights the demographic decline in these regions and the need to attract and retain international talent.

While national policies aim to attract international students, there is a lack of regional focus and support for long-term integration. Together with my co-author Elena Sæther we propose several strategies to address this, including improved language training, stronger industry partnerships, and tailored degree programs. They also emphasize the importance of data collection to assess the impact of these measures.

Ultimately, the study calls for a more holistic approach to attracting and integrating international talent in the Arctic, one that considers the unique challenges and opportunities of these regions.

Northern Sea Route Administration Issues Record Permits

The Northern Sea Route Administration (Glavsevmorput) has issued 1,223 sailing permits in 2024, with 87 vessels currently operating in Arctic waters. Deputy Director Svyatoslav Stepchenkov revealed these figures during a roundtable on Arctic and Antarctic partnerships.

The administration's effectiveness has been enhanced by improved ice-mapping capabilities, allowing for more precise navigation through Arctic waters. NOVATEK's engineering director Dmitry Zagranichniy cited a successful 2023 technological line towing operation as evidence of these improvements, emphasizing the crucial role of accurate hydrometeorological data.

Established in July 2022, Glavsevmorput has overseen 2,603 voyages and organized over 2,300 icebreaker escorts in its first two years. The agency manages icebreaker assistance, route planning, and sailing permits along the Northern Sea Route—a key Arctic shipping corridor.

This steady increase in permits suggests growing commercial interest in Arctic shipping, despite the route's challenging conditions and need for specialized navigation support (source : here)

Mining in the Arctic: a Complex Future

In "We Need to Talk About Mining in the Arctic," authors Anna K. Bidgood and Jessica Hall address the delicate balance between mineral extraction and sustainable development in the Arctic region. The Arctic's mineral wealth presents a pressing dilemma: how to balance the global demand for materials essential to green technology with environmental protection and Indigenous rights. This challenge, explored in detail by Anna K. Bidgood and Jessica Hall, sits at the intersection of climate action, social justice, and economic development.

The legacy of Arctic mining casts a long shadow. The industry's historically poor relationship with Indigenous communities has made it the least trusted industrial sector globally. Years of exploitation and environmental degradation have created deep-seated suspicion, particularly as Indigenous peoples continue to face disproportionate impacts from both climate change and resource extraction.

A new concept has emerged in this debate: "Green Colonialism." This describes the troubling pattern where Indigenous lands are appropriated for environmental initiatives, effectively sacrificing local communities' interests for global climate goals. The irony is stark as efforts to create a more sustainable world risk perpetuating historical injustices.

According to the authors, some success stories offer hope. The Red Dog mine in Alaska and Quebec's Raglan mine demonstrate how co-ownership and benefit-sharing agreements can work. These examples show that when Indigenous communities have genuine decision-making power and economic participation, mining projects can deliver mutual benefits.

Looking forward, the path to sustainable Arctic mining requires fundamental changes. These include robust legal frameworks protecting Indigenous rights, comprehensive implementation of free, prior, and informed consent principles, and a shift from national to regional approaches. Initiatives like the SIRGE Coalition and Indigenous-led carbon capture projects suggest that solutions combining traditional knowledge with modern technology are possible.

The future of Arctic mining need not repeat the mistakes of the past. Through genuine collaboration, respect for Indigenous rights, and commitment to environmental stewardship, a more sustainable and equitable approach to resource development is possible. The key lies in ensuring that the transition to a greener economy truly serves all stakeholders, particularly those who call the Arctic home.

New Threats to Undersea Infrastructure

Two critical undersea internet cables in the Baltic Sea suffered damage in November 2024, raising fresh concerns about the vulnerability of Europe's digital infrastructure. Finnish company Cinia and Swedish firm Arelion reported damage to their respective cables connecting Finland to Germany and Sweden to Lithuania, with the incidents occurring just 65 miles apart.

The timing has drawn particular scrutiny from European authorities. The damage coincided with the US government's authorization for Ukraine to use long-range weapons against Russian targets, and followed NATO's earlier warnings about Russian intentions to disrupt global internet infrastructure. Adding to the intrigue, officials noted the presence of a Chinese cargo vessel, the Yi Peng 3, near the damaged cables—prompting Lithuania's Foreign Minister to question the unusual circumstance of a Chinese ship potentially dragging its anchor in these strategic waters.

Despite the damage, internet service disruption has been minimal. Telia, which operates the Arelion cable carrying a third of Lithuania's internet capacity, quickly restored service. Cinia's network redundancy similarly helped maintain connectivity. Nevertheless, Western nations are now accelerating efforts to strengthen undersea communications security and reduce dependence on Russian and Chinese-linked companies.

The incidents underscore the growing vulnerability of critical infrastructure in an era of heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly as nations need to maintain secure communications channels during times of conflict. (source: here)

Thank you for reading!

Yours,

Alexandra Middleton