The Arctic countries have pledged to fight global warming. Global warming is occurring three times faster in the northern part of the earth than in other regions, and as the geopolitical importance of this region increases to maintain peace in the region.

As the foreign ministers of the Arctic countries gathered in Reykjavík, Iceland on Thursday, global warming has intensified, resource development is insufficient, sea ice retreat opens up new maritime routes, and the future of local residents has become the top agenda.

US Secretary of State Anthony Brinken told the heads of the Arctic Council from Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden: “We are committed to promoting a peaceful Arctic that is dominant in climate, environment, science and security. area.”

He added: “As a strategically competitive region, the Arctic has attracted the attention of the world”, but the “rule of law” must be ensured to make it a conflict-free region where countries can take responsible actions. “

Military exercises

The warming climate has opened the door to shipping, fishing, drilling, and mining for the Arctic. As an observer of the Security Council, China has made no secret of its interest in vast territories rich in natural resources and retreat to sea ice in new areas of sea routes. .

At the same time, Russia has strengthened its military forces in the Arctic-reopened and modernized bases abandoned since the collapse of the Soviet Union-and the United States has intensified naval exercises.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the participants at the meeting: “The important thing is to expand our positive relationship within the Arctic Council to also cover the military field.”

“We emphasized at the meeting that we think there is no reason for conflict here. Lavrov told reporters: “This is especially true for the development of military plans in some neighborhoods here. “

The Russian envoy also said that Russia supports the idea of ??hosting the Arctic summit during the two-year term of the Security Council.

Lavrov also called for the resumption of regular meetings among the chiefs of staff of the members of the Security Council.

After Russia annexed Crimea, the annual meeting between the chiefs of the Arctic states’ armed forces ceased in 2014. Since 2014, Russia has not participated in another forum, the Arctic Security Forces Roundtable.

The Arctic Council was established 25 years ago to deal with environmental and international cooperation issues. Its mission clearly does not include military security.

climate change

The discussion focused on the impact of global heating on once cold regions.

Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau told the Security Council: “The climate crisis is the most serious long-term threat to the Arctic, and its warming rate is three times faster than anywhere else on the planet.”

The shocking data is part of a report released by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) on Thursday, which also warned that the area’s sea ice disappears completely in the summer, and its risk increases before it freezes in the winter.

The Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Kopde said: “We have a responsibility to strengthen cooperation to benefit the people living in the Arctic.”

US Secretary of State Anthony Brinken (right) visited the Black Ridge Observation Deck in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, together with Greenland Prime Minister Mutter Egerd and Greenland Climate Research Center scientist Mi Wending. [Saul Loeb/Pool via Reuters]

At the last council meeting in Finland in 2019, the Trump administration blocked the signing of the joint statement for the first time since the council was established in 1996 because it refused to include climate change in the final statement.

The adoption of the joint statement on Thursday was effortless, as did the Security Council’s agreement on a 10-year strategic plan for the first time in its 10-year history.

In addition to the countries bordering the Arctic, the Council also includes six organizations representing the indigenous peoples of the region and 13 observer countries.

In the blink of an eye, he ended the four-day visit from Denmark and visited Greenland directly. He told reporters that the United States hopes to have a “stronger” partnership with the Danish territory of Greenland, and he can “confirm” that the United States is no longer trying to buy it.