Canada joins Nordic Countries in collective commitment to protect the Arctic territories

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney joined the leaders of the Nordic countries in Oslo where the leaders issued a joint statement on the collective security of Arctic territories. The meeting brought together the leaders of Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland, who discussed the growing importance of the Arctic region amid increasing competition between major powers.

The joint statement emphasised the need for closer cooperation on defence, surveillance and environmental protection in Arctic waters, which are becoming more accessible due to climate change. Prime Minister Mark Carney said that the biggest physical threat in the Arctic is Russia. He extolled the Translantic alliance for its value and importance in coordinating and ensuring Arctic security.

The leaders also reiterated their solidarity with Ukraine, stressing their continued political, economic and military support for Kyiv in its defence against Russia. They warned that the war in Ukraine has broader implications for European and transatlantic security, including in northern regions where NATO members share strategic interests. The statement also referred to their shared commitment to the transition towards a green economy, highlighting cooperation on renewable energy, clean technologies and the sustainable development of Arctic resources. The leaders said that economic development in the Arctic must balance energy security with environmental protection and the preservation of fragile ecosystems.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen praised Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for his recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, noting that the address had been widely discussed in Denmark. Frederiksen said that Carney’s remarks on economic resilience, climate policy and the transformation of global supply chains resonated strongly with Nordic policymakers.

The Oslo meeting can be interpreted as a rebuke to US President Donald Trump who is insisting to take the lead in NATO’s Arctic security including by taking over Greenland. During the press conference, Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre praised the Danish Prime Minister for her stance on Greenland and for standing up for international law and sovereignty.