On May 12, 2025, Norway handed over the rotating chairmanship of the Arctic Council to Greenland, under Danish representation, after what Norway’s Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt described as a “challenging two years.” Despite global tensions—chiefly Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—the Council maintained unity, continuing cooperation on environmental protection, sustainable development, and indigenous rights. Greenland’s chairmanship is both symbolic and strategic, reflecting Denmark’s effort to rebuild relations with Greenland following diplomatic strains under the Trump administration. It also aims to shift the Council’s focus back to key Arctic issues, especially climate change and ocean governance. The Nordic countries, particularly Norway, have reassessed their security strategies amid Russia’s assertiveness in the Arctic. Norway’s new national security strategy highlights the Arctic’s growing strategic relevance, given its proximity to Russia’s military bases on the Kola Peninsula. While direct conflict remains unlikely, the Nordics recognize the Arctic as a potential frontline in East-West tensions. China’s growing Arctic ambitions further complicate the picture, but the Council, under Greenland’s leadership, seeks to preserve its inclusive, circumpolar format, ensuring that all eight Arctic nations—including the Nordics—remain engaged in cooperative governance.
Read more on Arctic-council.org, Theguardian.com
