Conclusions: Building Common Interests in the Arctic Ocean

Abstract

Interests are awakening globally to take advantage of extensive energy, shipping, fishing and tourism opportunities associated with diminishing sea-ice in the Arctic Ocean. This environmental state-change in the Arctic Ocean also is introducing inherent risks of political, economic and cultural instabilities. With urgency - building on the "common arctic issues" of sustainable development and environmental protection established by the Arctic Council - environmental security offers an holistic context to assess opportunities, risks and infrastructure responses within international law. Special attention is given to law of the sea as the "extensive international legal framework" to "promote the peaceful uses" of the Arctic Ocean.