Thank you all for joining us this afternoon as we unveil our revised Arctic policy framework.
For those of you who do not yet have a copy of the publication, I trust you will be in possession of one by the conclusion of this event. Many of you present have played an integral role in shaping this framework, including representatives from Arctic states, Indigenous communities, and colleagues from various government departments. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to each of you for sharing your expertise with us.
It has only been three and a half years since we released ‘Looking North’, yet there is a pressing need for this update. This urgency was palpable at the recent Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, where I witnessed firsthand the rapid changes occurring in the Arctic—a reality that is becoming increasingly evident.
A Gathering of Global Perspectives
At that gathering, over 2,000 individuals from 60 nations—comprising politicians, diplomats, scientists, researchers, NGOs, and business representatives—convened. They hailed not only from the Arctic but from across the globe. Each participant brought their unique interests, yet all shared a common recognition of the region’s significance.
For those who reside in the Arctic, it is not merely a geographical area; it is home. As I discuss the Arctic, I am acutely aware of its importance to communities that live, work, and thrive there.
Conversely, for many around the world, the Arctic presents both opportunities and challenges. It is a region currently experiencing one of the most rapid transformations in its history.
This transformation is driven by climate change, increasing strategic significance, and geopolitical competition, particularly as Russia continues its militarisation efforts and economic interests intensify.
The sense of urgency regarding these changes was unmistakable during the Arctic Circle Assembly, highlighting the global recognition of the region’s evolving situation.
The Impact of Change on Arctic Communities
The scale and speed of these changes will inevitably impact families and communities throughout the region, as well as the wildlife and resources upon which they rely.
Many of you here understand that the challenges posed by the Arctic extend well beyond its borders, influencing weather patterns, climate, economies, and security—not least for us here in the United Kingdom.
History has shown us that shifts in the Arctic resonate across the globe, making discussions such as these vital.
For over 500 years, our lives have been intertwined with the Arctic through exploration, scientific discovery, and enduring partnerships, all of which are interconnected.
However, the speed of contemporary change and the urgency required in our response are unprecedented.
Alarming Changes in the Arctic Environment
In March 2025, Arctic winter sea ice recorded its lowest annual maximum in a 47-year history, a staggering statistic. Between 2023 and 2024, glaciers in Arctic Scandinavia and Svalbard faced their largest net loss of ice ever documented.
Simultaneously, the Arctic is becoming more competitive and contested than at any time in the past. Deteriorating travel security heightens risks for the region and beyond, potentially challenging the very rules that underpin regional stability.
The increasing accessibility of the Arctic for tourism, commercial shipping, and trade brings both opportunities and challenges, particularly concerning safety, security, and environmental concerns.
The ramifications of these developments are already apparent, affecting our weather, food supply, domestic resilience, economy, and national security—effects that are only set to escalate.
Responding with a Comprehensive Arctic Policy
Our updated Arctic policy is a direct response to these pressing issues. It outlines five key priorities: understanding and responding to a changing Arctic, enhancing security and stability, supporting effective governance, building responsible economic partnerships, and strengthening resilience.
These priorities extend beyond mere UK interests. By uniting expertise across science, technology, and security, the UK aims to provide practical capabilities that bolster our collective response to Arctic challenges.
Our commitment includes deepening our understanding of the Arctic, assisting communities in adapting to change, enhancing resilience, and conducting collaborative research, while working alongside our allies to ensure the region remains secure and stable.
It is vital to acknowledge that UK security, and indeed global security, is inextricably linked to Arctic security.
The Role of Science and Collaboration
Central to our approach is the support for responsible and sustainable economic growth, which necessitates a coordinated, all-government strategy.
Today, I wish to emphasise two crucial themes: science and partnership. Informed decisions stem from robust evidence, and I thank many of you for contributing to this knowledge base. Since 2014, the United Kingdom’s Natural Environment Research Council has invested over £145 million in Arctic science.
Our research vessel, the Sir David Attenborough, has been collaborating with Greenland and other partners to enhance our understanding of the relationship between ice sheet loss and warming Arctic waters. I am pleased to announce an additional £13 million investment in collaboration with the Research Council of Norway to further investigate the changing Arctic Ocean and its implications for our future.
We are also allocating over £4 million in the next three years to foster new research partnerships, including collaborations with the Arctic Council and the next generation of Arctic researchers.
Building Stronger Partnerships for a Shared Future
This scientific endeavour is essential for monitoring and informing our strategies to protect the evolving Arctic, as well as understanding the implications of these changes for our future security and prosperity.
As we approach the international polar year of 2032-33, the urgency of this work has never been more pronounced.
The second theme I would like to address is partnership, which is the reason so many of you are gathered here today. No single nation can fully comprehend or manage these changes in isolation.
As the Foreign Secretary recently stated, our mission is to enhance safety today while laying the groundwork for a more secure future tomorrow, a principle that applies equally to the Arctic.
The Arctic Council, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last month, has made significant strides in fostering collaboration and remains, in our view, vital for convening the growing global interest in the Arctic.
Our partnerships with Arctic state allies and Indigenous partners, particularly through the Council, are fundamental to our engagement in the region. We also recognise the importance of our relationships with other stakeholders, including fellow Arctic Council observers and the European Union, many of whom are represented here today.
We aim to strengthen these connections, as the current period of profound change demands greater international collaboration. The actions we take together now will shape not only our shared future in this region but also the future of our planet and all of its inhabitants.
A Commitment to Arctic Stewardship
Through this refreshed framework, the UK is making a clear commitment. Shortly, Parliament will discuss this in a Written Ministerial Statement I will present.
This commitment signifies our role as a reliable neighbour, a partner in scientific endeavour and stewardship, and a steadfast ally in maintaining the stability and security upon which both the Arctic’s future and our own depend.
In closing, I would like to leave you with a sense of hope and wonder. In this room, we have an ice core that is over 4,000 years old. This core is here for vital research purposes, and I encourage you to take a moment to examine it. I was informed that this ice formed alongside the pyramids, which is a truly remarkable fact. I even heard the sounds of crackling and popping from the core myself—please do take a look.
Let us remain hopeful for all those who call the Arctic home and for all of us whose security, weather, food supply, and much more depend on the stability of the Arctic.
As Dr Astorga eloquently stated in the book I received today, “excessive pessimism can hinder the essential actions we urgently need. Hope is not a passive optimism that overlooks the crisis; rather, it is an attitude rooted in science, propelled by action, and resilient in adversity.” I encourage you to keep these words close to heart. Thank you.