The Swedish Chairmanship: Foresight and Hindsight in Arctic Activism

Abstract

The Swedish Chairmanship of the Arctic Council 2011–2013 still holds many of the keys in understanding Sweden’s overall stance in Arctic affairs. When Sweden took the chair in early 2011, many Observers were skeptical of its likely impact on the region not only because the organization and its role in circumpolar economic and social development were contested at the time. There were also misgivings about Sweden’s role as a “reluctant” Arctic nation. Sweden, nevertheless, contributed during its term as Chair of the Arctic Council to significant organizational revitalization and moving its Arctic agenda on soft security concerns forward. The chapter revisits the leadership goals, strategies, roles and achievements of the Swedish Chairmanship. These are then compared and contrasted with subsequent Swedish activity within the Council. The potential for a Swedish return to an active leadership role in the Arctic is then considered against the background of a changing international setting and increased policy relevance of the Arctic to Sweden.