Coverage

Around 50 banks and pension funds have banned investments in Arctic energy projects, a move the Arctic Economic Council warns could impede local development, climate goals, and responsible investment practices.

A battlecruiser fired surface‑to‑air missiles over the Norwegian Sea, underscoring heightened Arctic naval activity.

The Nordic Investment Bank is funding Arctic infrastructure projects—electric grid upgrades, port deepening, a spaceport, and SME loans—to promote sustainable economic growth and improve energy, shipping, and policy outcomes in the Arctic.

The Arctic Wildland Fire Sharing Circle brought together scientists, Indigenous leaders, and Arctic Council groups to discuss rising wildfire risks, share projects, and build cross‑sector collaboration.

Russia fired its Tsirkon hypersonic missile from a Norwegian sector of the Barents Sea, underscoring growing Arctic military activity and raising regional security concerns.

Murmansk governor urges a facelift for a spy submarine base, highlighting the need for updated Arctic military infrastructure.

Arctic Council’s CAFF experts released a comprehensive assessment of Arctic freshwater biodiversity, compiling data from over 9,000 stations and outlining climate-driven changes that threaten ecosystems and local communities.

The Russian Far East and Arctic Development Corporation has launched an interactive map showing 600 land sites and 7,000 infrastructure objects across the Russian Far East and Arctic, available in five languages to aid local and foreign investors.

The Russian Northern Fleet’s decision to withdraw support for an Arctic drilling project after Irish fishermen pledged to block the drill highlights the clash between military-backed energy initiatives and local opposition, raising security and policy concerns.

Russian warships left an Arctic storm to conduct exercises in Irish waters, illustrating Russia's expanding naval presence beyond the Arctic Circle.

Old Crow, a 250‑resident Yukon community, launched a solar farm that now supplies 25% of its power, cutting 190,000 litres of diesel use annually and creating a revenue model for the local Indigenous government.

One of two undersea cables serving Svalbard was disrupted, potentially affecting communications for the Arctic territory.

The world's most powerful icebreaker completed its maiden voyage across an Arctic route, marking a milestone for polar shipping.

Second giant nuclear icebreaker handed over to Rosatomflot.

A new subsea cable path across the Arctic has been identified to connect Asia, shortening data transfer routes and enhancing global connectivity.

Abidat Magomedova has been appointed Chair of the Arctic Council’s Sustainable Development Working Group, pledging to advance Indigenous support, pandemic response, pollution reduction, and Arctic education initiatives.

The Aleutian Islands are positioning themselves as a key gateway to the Northern Sea Route, with expanding port infrastructure, digital connectivity and local economic prospects amid rising Arctic maritime traffic.

Russia’s Arctic Council chairmanship has appointed Dr Mikhail Pogodaev as Special Envoy for Indigenous and Regional Cooperation, aiming to strengthen Indigenous governance and people‑to‑people collaboration across the Arctic.

A senior Arctic Council meeting in Moscow focused on improving scientific coordination, discussing a potential coordination committee, shared research database, and the use of the Snezhinka station in Yamal.

The Arctic Council’s Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum concluded its fifth annual meeting with over 180 participants, discussing Polar Code progress, increased Northern Sea Route tonnage, web portal usage.

Two icebreaker vessels are en route to aid ships stranded by sea ice along the Northern Sea Route.

The Arctic Council’s SDWG met in Moscow in a hybrid format under Russian chairmanship, bringing 130+ participants and approving new projects on heritage preservation, Arctic COVID‑19 assessment, and permafrost resilience.

Rosatom’s Chief Sustainability Officer Polina Lion outlines the company’s ESG strategy, Arctic operations, and the need for shared sustainability standards along the Northern Sea Route.

Bernard Funston recounts his role in drafting the Arctic Council’s founding documents, the development of its rules and sustainable development agenda, and the Council’s evolution from a science forum to a global policy body.

Canadian executive Mathieu Parker has taken the helm of the Arctic Council Secretariat in Tromsø, bringing extensive Arctic policy experience and a mission to strengthen the organization’s role as the Council marks its 25th year.