Unveiling the UK’s Arctic Policy Framework: Minister Kumaran’s Keynote Address

Thank you all for joining us this afternoon to unveil our revised Arctic policy framework. If you haven’t yet received a copy of the document, I trust you will all have one by the conclusion of this event. Many of you present today have played a vital role in shaping this framework, including representatives from Arctic states, Indigenous communities, and colleagues from various government departments. I would like to express my gratitude for your invaluable contributions.

It has been just three and a half years since we launched ‘Looking North’, and I need not reiterate the reasons why this update is timely. Many of us experienced the urgency firsthand at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik last week, where the palpable sense of change highlighted just how critical the situation is. The Arctic is transforming rapidly, and this was abundantly clear during our time there.

The Global Significance of the Arctic

At the assembly, over 2,000 participants from 60 countries gathered, including politicians, diplomats, scientists, researchers, representatives from non-governmental organisations, and business leaders. They came not only from the Arctic region but from around the globe, each with distinct interests, yet collectively acknowledging the significance of the Arctic.

For the inhabitants of the Arctic, this is not merely a region but a home. I am acutely aware that when discussing the Arctic, it is essential to recognise it as a place where people live, work, and thrive. Conversely, for many others worldwide, the Arctic represents a renewed focus on both the opportunities and challenges it presents.

This region is undergoing one of the most rapid and significant transformations in its history, driven by climate change, increasing geopolitical competition, and Russia’s military expansion alongside rising economic interests. The atmosphere at the Arctic Circle Assembly made it clear just how many people globally are engaged with these issues.

The scale and speed of the transformations occurring will undoubtedly impact families and communities throughout the region, as well as the wildlife and resources upon which they rely. Many of you are aware that the repercussions extend far beyond the Arctic, influencing weather patterns, climate, economies, and security—even here in the United Kingdom.

Historical Context and Urgency of Action

Historically, changes in the Arctic have affected us all, making today’s discussions all the more vital. For over 500 years, our lives have been intertwined with the Arctic through exploration, scientific discovery, and enduring partnerships. However, the pace of contemporary change and the urgency of our response is unprecedented.

In March 2025, Arctic winter sea ice recorded its lowest annual maximum since records began 47 years ago. This is a significant milestone. Moreover, glaciers in Arctic Scandinavia and Svalbard witnessed their largest net ice loss on record between 2023 and 2024. Simultaneously, the Arctic has become increasingly competitive and contested, with deteriorating travel security heightening risks not only within the region but beyond, potentially challenging many foundational rules that maintain regional stability.

These developments come at a time when the Arctic is more accessible for tourism, commercial shipping, and trade, presenting both opportunities and challenges to our safety, security, and environment. We are already witnessing the ramifications of these changes, particularly concerning our weather, food supply, domestic resilience, economy, and national security. These effects are only expected to amplify.

Introducing Our Updated Arctic Policy

Our updated Arctic policy framework is a direct response to these pressing issues. It outlines five key priorities: understanding and adapting to a changing Arctic; enhancing security and stability; promoting effective governance; fostering responsible economic partnerships; and bolstering resilience. These priorities transcend the UK’s interests, as they aim to unite expertise from science, technology, and security to provide practical solutions for our collective challenges in the Arctic.

We strive to achieve these priorities by deepening our understanding of the Arctic, assisting communities in adapting to change, enhancing resilience, and collaborating with our allies to maintain security and stability in the region. It is crucial to recognise that there is no UK security or global security without Arctic security.

Supporting responsible and sustainable economic growth is essential, and achieving these goals necessitates a coordinated, all-encompassing governmental approach. Today, I would like to highlight two focal points in particular.

The Role of Science in Decision-Making

The first is science. Sound decisions are founded on evidence, and I am grateful to many of you here for providing that evidence. Since 2014, the United Kingdom’s Natural Environment Research Council has invested more than £145 million in Arctic science. Our research vessel, the Sir David Attenborough, has been collaborating with partners in Greenland and beyond to enhance our understanding of the relationship between ice sheet loss and warming Arctic waters. I am pleased to announce that we will further this effort with an initial investment of £13 million alongside the Research Council of Norway to explore the implications of a changing Arctic Ocean for our future.

Additionally, we are committing over £4 million in the next three years to support new research partnerships, including those with the Arctic Council and the next generation of Arctic researchers. This scientific endeavour is vital not only for monitoring and safeguarding a changing Arctic but also for understanding how these changes will impact our future security and prosperity. As I have mentioned, all these elements are interconnected.

Building Partnerships for a Sustainable Future

As the climate crisis intensifies and we approach the international polar year of 2032-33, there has never been a more opportune and crucial time for this work. The second theme I want to emphasise is partnership, which is why so many of you are gathered in this room today. No nation can comprehend or manage these changes alone. As the Foreign Secretary aptly noted, our aim is to ensure safety today while building a better future for tomorrow, a sentiment that holds true for the Arctic as much as anywhere else.

The Arctic Council, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last month, has played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and remains, in our view, essential for convening the growing global interest in the Arctic. Our relationships with Arctic state allies and Indigenous partners, particularly through the council, are critical for our engagement in the region. However, we also recognise the significance of our relationships with other observers of the Arctic Council, including the European Union and many of you present today.

Our goal is to strengthen these partnerships because, at this profound time of change, there has never been a greater need for international collaboration. What we achieve together now will not only shape our shared futures in this region but also have lasting implications for our planet and all its inhabitants.

Commitment to Arctic Stewardship

Through this refreshed framework, the UK is making a clear commitment. In the next half hour, Parliament will hear about this commitment, as I have submitted a Written Ministerial Statement regarding our intentions. This commitment reflects our dedication to being a reliable neighbour, a partner in scientific research and stewardship, and a steadfast ally in maintaining stability and security upon which both the Arctic’s future and our own depend.

Finally, I wish to leave you with a message of hope and wonder. The awe lies in the fact that within this room, there exists ice that is 4,000 years old. This ice core, present for vital research purposes, is a testament to our planet’s history. I encourage you to observe it, as I did earlier. I was informed that this ice formed concurrently with the construction of the pyramids, an extraordinary fact that underscores the significance of our shared history.

As we consider the future, let us hold on to hope—for those who call the Arctic home and for all of us, as our security, climate, food sources, and much more depend on the stability of the Arctic. In the words of Dr Astorga from the book I was gifted today, “too much pessimism can be the enemy of the very action we urgently need. Hope is not lazy optimism for looking away from the crisis, but an attitude grounded in science, driven by action, and resilient in the face of setbacks.” I encourage you all to keep these words close as we move forward. Thank you.