World in brief: Arctic Circle Assembly

Power plays for the polar trade routes

The World Today Published 1 October 2021 2 minute READ

James Orr

Journalist on South Asia, the US and the Middle East, Freelance

The annual Arctic Circle Assembly was due to return in October after last year’s cancellation due to the pandemic. 

The polar region has fast become an area of growing geopolitical significance. Ice caps continue to recede due to rising temperatures. New opportunities emerge in the form of access to scarce mineral resources and the possibility of speedier shipping routes and trade.

At the assembly in Reykjavik, 60 countries will discuss a wide range of often nuanced and contradictory issues. Among them will be maintaining peace and security in an increasingly ice-free region. Other topics will explore China’s plans for a Polar Silk Road, and the likely focus of Russia’s new, two-year chairmanship of the Arctic Council, the leading intergovernmental forum responsible for promoting cooperation within the circle.

Access the archive

The current issue is open access with previous editions reserved for our members and magazine subscribers.