Arctic Circle Assembly 2024: “The Most Important Crossroad of Our Generation”

Four days after he announced the collapse of the government by withdrawing his party - Independence Party - from the coalition between the Progressive Party, and the Left-Green Movement, Iceland’s prime minister Bjarni Benediktsson, held the opening speech at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik.

The dissolution of the government was not mentioned in the PMs speech. Instead Benediktsson chose to focus on the challenges that lie ahead for the Saga Island.

“We are standing at an important crossroad. Possibly the most important one that my generation has been faced with”, said the PM, who holds the title until 30 October, after the new President Halla Tómasdóttir, agreed to dissolve the parliament.

New elections will be held on November 30.

The weakening of multilateralism

The main hall at Harpa Consert Hall was filled to the brim on Thursday afternoon when Benediktsson took to the podium.

The PM spoke of the current geopolitical tensions and the spread of uncertainty in international relations.

“We are witnessing a gradual weakening of multilateralism. The very organizations and treaties whose primary obligation is to ensure the security of our people is severely tested. We see a worrying downward spiral of trust and international cooperation being undermined”, a grim looking PM said to the room filled with international political leaders, scientists and Arctic stakeholders.

Rebuild trust

His message was clear: There is an urgent need to rebuild the lost trust that was built over years of growth in cooperation and peace in the Arctic.

“Over the past ten years, a new dynamic has manifested itself as we saw Putin's Russia gradually adopt a more aggressive approach to international law and the rules-based order that seeks to destabilize international multilateralism along the way. And let’s face the facts, Russia is unlikely to change course in the immediate future”, Benediktsson predicted.

Due to the tense geopolitical situation, the strategic importance of the North Atlantic and the Arctic has increased. Not least because of Russia's military build-up, but also because of the continued warming resulting in an ice-free Arctic Ocean over time.

A land without military

“The Arctic is expected to be covered by less than 15 percent sea ice in the summer months around 2030. Sea routes and resources in the Arctic will soon become more accessible with an exponential increase in economic activity. All this requires targeted actions with the region's interests at heart”, said Benediktsson, asking;

“How will Iceland and the Arctic Council respond to these challenges?”

The island state of Iceland covers a total area of 103,000 km² and inhabits near 400 000 people. 

As Iceland is without a military, it has emphasized a comprehensive and multilateral approach in security affairs and is a member of key organizations, such as the United Nations, NATO and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe - OSCE.

“For a small country it is paramount that we are guarded against the mighty taking what they want, which is the worldview promoted by the Russian regime and other non-democratic states. So how can we safeguard stability, peace and development in the Arctic?” asks the PM.

Close partnerships

To answer the question, Benediktsson presented three points that he sees as particularly important for adapting cooperation and policy to a new security environment:

1. Safeguard and promote international law and respect for sovereignty.

“This places limitations on cooperation with Russia.”

2. The seven Arctic states must continue to shape Arctic security policy.

“It is of utmost importance that we collaborate and work closely with key stakeholders and the international community. We must continue to ensure long-term sustainable development, prosperity and security for the population of the Arctic region.”

3. To rely on partners and allies.

“Iceland is in a fortunate position to work closely with key regional partners. Our NATO membership and the bilateral defense agreement with the United States continue to be key pillars of our security and defense policy. This includes increased host nation support to NATO and allies operating in the North Atlantic, not least those focusing on anti-submarine warfare.”

“It is our responsibility to remain vigilant”

Global competition and militarization

In recent years, and especially after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the narrative of the militarization of the Arctic has more and more become an established truth. The people living in the Arctic need only look out the window or to the sky to see the increased military activity in their backyard.

Slowly, the term "low tension in the High North" has disappeared from political speeches aimed at assuring the public that nothing could disturb the deep peace in the Arctic.

“These are the sober realities that must be dealt with, with a large dose of responsibility and pragmatism based on the values ​​that we, the democratic nations are destined to uphold”, said Benediktsson.

Long list of challenges

“Whether we like it or not, the Arctic is fast becoming a theater of global competition and militarization, and it is up to us to determine the parameters for developing this region.”

He stressed that climate change will continue to be an existential threat resulting in rising sea levels, ocean acidification, permafrost forest fires and threats to biodiversity.

“The list goes on.”

Too much at stake

The retiring Icelandic PM ended his speech, possibly his last as leader of the country, with an appeal to “be bold as Arctic nations, to act quickly and decisively to show the way forward”.

 “We must take responsibility and ensure the security of our people and work hard to rebuild trust in multilateralism and the rule of law. There is too much is at stake for passivity and complacency.”

Disagreement about immigration and energy policy seems to be the main reason behind the dissolvement of the parliament in Iceland.