Committees

Inquiry into the Arctic launched by Lords Committee

30 March 2023

The International Relations and Defence Committee is undertaking an inquiry into the Arctic and the UK’s approach to the region.

Background

The diplomatic and security context in the Arctic is rapidly evolving as rising sea temperatures open the region to shipping and increased economic development, while threatening its unique ecosystem. The Arctic has also become more militarised, with the risk of further militarisation increasing following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The scope for intergovernmental dialogue has narrowed, as the Arctic Council, the key forum promoting multilateral cooperation in the region, has effectively been suspended since March 2022.

The Committee’s inquiry will consider the UK’s strategic and diplomatic interests in the Arctic in the light of this changing environment, and whether the UK Government has set the appropriate priorities. It will consider the implications of the opening up of the region for UK security, and the contribution that the UK and NATO can make to the defence of the Arctic.

An important part of this inquiry will be the effective scrutiny of the new Arctic Policy Framework, published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in February this year, and the Ministry of Defence’s 2022 policy paper on UK’s Defence contribution in the High North.

Focus of the inquiry

The Committee is seeking evidence on issues including:

  • The future of multilateral governance in the Arctic region
  • Russia’s military and economic strategy with regard to the Arctic
  • How NATO’s role in the Arctic and High North will change following the accession of Sweden and Finland to the Alliance
  • How new economic opportunities in the Arctic can be exploited while avoiding environmental damage
  • The UK’s strategic priorities set out in the Government’s Arctic Policy Framework
  • UK capabilities and resources to contribute to defence in the High North and Arctic.

For the full list of issues on which the Committee is seeking written evidence, please refer to the call for evidence.

Chair's comments

“The UK is the Arctic’s nearest neighbour and developments in the region are critical to UK interests. The strategic and environmental context in the Arctic is changing rapidly and the UK needs to be ready to respond to the diplomatic and security challenges this poses.

“We are seeking to look closely at the UK Government’s aims in the Arctic, and whether it has the capabilities and resources to fulfil them. The Committee will look at how the UK is delivering on its strategic priorities, including working effectively with Arctic states, upholding international law and freedom of the seas, and supporting NATO’s expanding role in the Arctic.”

Timeline

The deadline for written evidence is 23:59 on Sunday, 14 May 2023. The first oral evidence session will be held on Wednesday 19 April 2023 at 10.30am.

Further information