Coverage

The historic icebreaker that first reached the North Pole is being scrapped, marking the end of its operational life in the Arctic.

The 2018 Helsinki conference highlighted the Polar Code's stricter safety and environmental rules for Arctic shipping, the challenges operators face in certification and training, and calls for improved incident reporting.

The Arctic Economic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers jointly released the “Arctic Business Analysis,” outlining trade barriers, enablers, and sector opportunities to boost Arctic economic development.

The Arctic Economic Council, led by Chair Tero Vauraste, presented its 2017 progress—including new working groups and broadband initiatives—to the Arctic Council’s Senior Arctic Officials during the Oulu, Finland meeting, underscoring enhanced Arctic economic governance.

Heavy shooting observed at Russia’s new Arctic naval base, indicating increased military activity in the region.

AEC leaders at Vladivostok forum highlighted a record-setting Sovcomflot tanker run on the Northern Sea Route, projected Arctic transport growth, and the need for public‑private infrastructure investment.

The Arctic Economic Council, established by the Arctic Council under Canada’s chairmanship, brings Arctic and non‑Arctic businesses together to promote sustainable economic development and reduce trade barriers.

Statoil has been approved as the first Norwegian business to join the Arctic Economic Council as a Northern Partner, bringing expertise in Arctic oil and gas to the forum.

A Chinese drilling rig paused in Murmansk as it headed toward the Kara Sea, highlighting the growing presence of foreign energy ventures in the Arctic.

The 2nd Top of the World Arctic Broadband Summit in Oulu highlighted plans for a trans‑Arctic telecommunications cable linking Europe, Asia, and the Arctic, discussing its technical feasibility, regional impacts, and benefits for community connectivity and search‑and‑rescue

A $30 million Álgu Fund has been set up by the Arctic Council to support indigenous peoples, marking a new era of participation in Arctic governance.

The Arctic Economic Council elected Tero Vauraste of Finland as its new chair, shifted leadership from the U.S., and endorsed the World Economic Forum’s Arctic Investment Protocol at its Fairbanks meeting.

Russian military observers attended a Norwegian war game staged in Finnmark, Norway's northernmost county within the Arctic Circle. The event signals ongoing Russian interest in Arctic defense exercises.

The Arctic Economic Council hosted a panel in Tromsø that highlighted the need for government support of Arctic broadband, culminating in the release of its first comprehensive report with legal, regulatory, and tax recommendations.

The Arctic Economic Council unanimously approved Arctic Slope Regional Corporation as its first Northern Partner, opening a formal channel for Arctic businesses to engage in regional economic planning.

The Arctic Economic Council unanimously approved the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation as its first Northern Partner, marking a significant policy step in Arctic governance.

The Arctic Economic Council’s new broadband report calls on the private sector to address challenges of low density and vastness in the Arctic by deploying a comprehensive connectivity strategy, as outlined by Robert McDowell.

The Arctic Economic Council unveiled its first Arctic broadband report at a side event during Arctic Frontiers, outlining legal, regulatory and tax reforms to boost connectivity and improve safety and community services across the Arctic.

The AEC Infrastructure: Telecommunications Working Group released its first report, Arctic Broadband – Recommendations for an Interconnected Arctic, outlining strategies to expand broadband across Arctic states.

A S-400 missile complex has been positioned on guard duty in Russia’s Kola Peninsula, bolstering the country’s defensive coverage in the Arctic region.

The Arctic Economic Council and Icelandic-Arctic Chamber of Commerce will host a breakout session on sustainable Arctic business development at the Arctic Circle Conference, featuring key leaders and focusing on the new AEC Strategic Plan.

An anthrax outbreak in Yamal, within the Arctic Circle, may signal the start of broader health risks for Arctic communities.

Military biological protection troops were deployed to the Yamal Peninsula to contain an anthrax outbreak, illustrating the armed forces’ involvement in public health emergencies in the Arctic.

Russia unveiled a novel underwater drone designed for Arctic waters, potentially enhancing surveillance and operational reach in the region.

The Arctic Economic Council announced the final agenda for its July 13-14 broadband summit in Barrow, Alaska, emphasizing connectivity challenges, government commitments, and investment opportunities for Arctic communities.