Heating up? The Geopolitics of the Arctic

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Livestream Watch Now

1 February 2022 at 13:00 – 14:00 GMT

Join James Gray MP, Lt. Gen. (rtd.) Richard Nugee, and Prof. Dame Jane Francis, as they discuss environmental security in the Arctic

About this event

The United Kingdom is the nearest neighbour to the Arctic region, which is central to British security interests and the wider North Atlantic. Yet, the rise of the People’s Republic of China and its self-declared status of being the near-Arctic state, Russian militarization of the Arctic waters, ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia, the United States and China are all entangling the Arctic in a renewed geopolitical competition. Arctic territories and resources are becoming more and more contested, whereas climate change is continuously stimulating a substantial change in the natural environment.

The Integrated Review, published last year, noted that through its role as a State Observer to the Arctic Council, the UK should contribute to maintaining the region as one of high cooperation and low tension, retain a significant contribution to Arctic science, focused on understanding the implications of climate change and commit to working with its partners to ensure that increasing access to the region and its resources is managed safely, sustainably and responsibly.

Join James Gray MP – Member of the Environmental Audit Committee, Lt. Gen. (rtd.) Richard Nugee – Non Executive Director for Climate Change in Defence , and Professor Dame Jane Francis – Director of the British Antarctic Survey, as they discuss how the UK, together with its allies and partners, can ensure that the Arctic remains secure, sustainable and prosperous.

Speakers

Prof. Dame Jane Francis

  • Director of the British Antarctic Survey

James Gray MP

  • Member of the Environmental Audit Committee, House of Commons

Lt. Gen. (rtd.) Richard Nugee

  • Member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, House of Commons

Moderator

Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė

  • Co-founder and Director of Strategy, Council on Geostrategy

Venue

This event will be hosted online using Zoom.