Representatives from Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Greenland and the United States have released a joint statement reinforcing their commitment to the stability and security of the Arctic.
Released during the Northern Defence Dialogue at the NATO Defence Ministers’ Meeting on Thursday, the statement highlighted the growing strategic importance of the Arctic region, which has become more accessible largely due to global warming, and the concerns posed by the military aggression of potential adversaries.
According to Canada’s Department of National Defence, discussions at the meeting focused on enhancing intelligence cooperation, identifying emerging threats and geopolitical challenges, and improving interoperability and defense capabilities.
The dialogue comes just over a week after the Arctic Chiefs Defense Meeting held earlier this month in Iceland. Senior military officials from Arctic nations, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., talked about continued partnership and opportunities for further collaboration.
The meetings align with Washington’s 2024 Arctic Strategy, which seeks to address the impact of climate change and the threat of Russia and China’s increased joint military exercises in the region.