This document sets out the UK government's approach to the
Arctic, and provides an update to the UK Arctic policy framework.
Looking North: The UK and
the Arctic. The United Kingdom’s Arctic Policy
Framework
Details
This document brings together all the UK’s policies and
strategies relating to the Arctic under a single, integrated
framework, in line with the Integrated Review. It
builds in the Ministry of Defence paper The UK’s Defence
Contribution in the High North published in March 2022. It
outlines the full range of UK interests in the region, and sets
out the long-term priorities and objectives which shape our
engagement and actions on the Arctic.
This new framework aims to represent evolution, rather than
revolution, in the UK’s approach to the Arctic. It covers our
longstanding interests in the region, particularly at a time of
heightened tension there, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and
growing competition from China. Our approach will remain dynamic,
responsive to changes in the Arctic region and across the world.
Our long-term strategic objective remains for the Arctic to be a
peaceful and stable region, characterised by cooperation. The
framework reiterates that the UK will remain an active,
influential and reliable partner in the Arctic.
In doing so, the UK will focus activity across 4 priority areas:
- partnering and collaborating
- protecting the climate, people and environment
- preserving security and stability
- promoting our shared prosperity
Through this framework, the UK will take a whole-of-government
approach to the Arctic. We will draw on the
- diplomatic excellence of our diplomatic missions across the
region
- defence capabilities of the UK’s armed forces
- world-class scientific expertise of the UK Arctic research
community
We will work with our partners and Allies to help maintain the
Arctic as a place that is safe, secure, peaceful, and
well-governed, protecting its environment and the communities
that live there.
You can also read the 2013 UK Arctic policy framework: Adapting To Change: UK
policy towards the Arctic and the 2018 update: Beyond the ice: UK policy
towards the Arctic.
