Security and stability in the Arctic

With the new cross-departmental Arctic guidelines, the Federal Government is underscoring its willingness to take more responsibility for the Arctic region. The geopolitical environment for German and European Arctic policy, too, has permanently changed as a result of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

Since developments in the Arctic have global consequences, the Federal Government has an interest in preserving security and stability in the Arctic. It supports its EU and NATO partners in the region in the defence of their common security interests.

Environmental protection and research

The Arctic is also an early warning system for global warming and suffers particularly from the consequences of aggravated climate change. It is warming up up to four times as quickly as the rest of the world, which has severe consequences for Germany and Europe, too. For the Federal Government, this is a reason to continue to expand German involvement in the region.

Germany wants to play a more significant role by contributing to environmental and climate protection, as well as to the broad spectrum of German Arctic research. This topic is to be promoted more forcefully at the European level, too.

Responsible planning

The guidelines are aimed at sustainable development of the region. Arctic raw material extraction is to be planned responsibly: by using environmentally friendly technologies and complying with the highest environmental standards. This can also contribute to resource security in Germany.

The Arctic is also home to around four million people. The Federal Government is standing up for the interests of the people who live there, particularly for the rights of the indigenous population.

Core aims of German Arctic policy

The update to the German Arctic policy guidelines stipulates six aims:

• Preservation of security and stability in the Arctic and increased security policy involvement within NATO and the EU
• Defence of the international rules-based order and strengthening of resilience in the Arctic
• Contribution to consistent climate and environmental protection in line with the Paris Agreement
• Preservation and expansion of responsible research as a basis for political action
• Sustainable development of the Arctic, taking into consideration the precautionary and "polluter pays" principle
• Consistent involvement of the indigenous population and safeguarding of their rights to freedom, health and self-determination in their living environment