The UK's commitment to international collaboration in the Arctic
to tackle pressing regional challenges such as climate change
will be the focus for the UK's Americas Minister as he begins a
two-day visit to Alaska today (Thursday 11 April).
In his first trip to the northern-most US state, , who is also the UK's Minister
for the Polar Regions, will attend the Arctic Encounter
Symposium in Anchorage where he will explain how the UK is
playing a leadership role in working with Arctic States to
support and strengthen Arctic security and prosperity and build
on the UK's strong relationships with regional
partners.
, Minister for the Americas,
Caribbean and Overseas Territories and Minister for the Polar
Regions, said:
The Arctic matters to the UK and we are ensuring that the UK
matters to the Arctic. As close neighbours we share priorities
over climate, security and prosperity and we are committed to
playing a key role in the region.
On my visits to states across the US, I have seen the strength of
the bond that exists between America and the UK, and on my first
trip to Alaska I am looking forward to discussing how we can work
together to combat climate change and enhance our trade,
technological and cultural partnerships.
The UK set out its close relationship with the region in its
refreshed Arctic Policy
Framework in February 2023. This sets out the
close links between the UK and the Arctic, and how the UK can
play an appropriate leadership role that responds to significant
changes in the region and builds on the strong links we already
enjoy, including with the US.
During his visit, Minister Rutley will reaffirm the UK's
commitment to combat the geopolitical and environmental
challenges affecting the Arctic, including through increased
Russian militarisation in the region and the threat posed by
climate change.
Melting sea ice will also make it possible for a wider range of
actors to access the region, which has the potential to increase
tensions. The Minister will reaffirm the UK's vision for the
Arctic as a place of high co-operation and low tension, and
welcome the progress made to resume technical engagement in the
Arctic Council.
The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the
planet, and the number of wildfires in the region has more than
tripled since 2018. These changes are felt most deeply by people
in the region, but they also affect the UK's weather, natural
environment and resilience.
During his visit, the Minister will get a chance to see
first-hand the impact that the planet's warming climate is having
in the Arctic when he treks on the Matanuska Glacier, and will
also highlight how the UK is working with regional partners to
tackle climate change.
While in Anchorage, Minister Rutley will also meet Lieutenant
Governor Nancy Dahlstrom and Senator Lisa Murkowski, where he
will explore opportunities to deepen economic and cultural ties
between the UK and Alaska.
His trip to Alaska continues a programme of visits to states
across America where Minister Rutley has championed the UK as a
great investment and business partner and highlighted the
unrivalled security and defence ties between the two
allies.
With the US and UK already having more than $1 trillion invested
in each other's economies, it is a relationship that presents
huge opportunities for people and businesses on both sides of the
Atlantic - supporting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's priority to
grow the UK's economy and create better paying jobs.
The UK supports more jobs in America than any other country, with
more than 1.2 million people working for British companies, while
almost 1.5 million people do the same for American companies in
the UK.
The UK and Alaska share a goods trading relationship that is
worth $50 million a year, and world-renowned British businesses
such as AstraZeneca and Barclays support jobs for almost 2,000
Alaskans.
Background:
- Minister Rutley gave a speech on the UK's Arctic Policy
Framework at an Arctic Reception at the Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office in London in February 2024.
