The annual Arctic Circle Assembly brings together governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think-tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, citizens, and others for a comprehensive and democratic Arctic dialogue. The Assembly is the largest gathering on Arctic affairs. It is a place for international engagement, co-operation, and celebration.
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is organizing a panel at this forum: The View of the Canadian Arctic Through an Indo-Pacific Lens (October 18; 5:10 p.m.-6:05 p.m. IST). APF Canada Program Manager Dr. Hema Nadarajah is speaking on this panel. Dr. Nadarajah is also speaking on the panel Arctic Connected: Strategic Connections Between the Arctic and the Indo-Pacific (organized by the Ted Stevens Centre for Security Studies; October 19 10:05 a.m.-11:00 a.m. IST).
The Government of Canada released its long-awaited Indo-Pacific Strategy in November 2022. The direct geopolitical linkages between Asia and the Arctic are highlighted as the Indo-Pacific region sees the Arctic as a region of opportunity. As part of the strategy, the need for responsible and sustainable engagement in the Canadian Arctic was highlighted.
The Canadian Arctic is in need for innovative energy, shipping, and telecommunications infrastructure. With the accelerating climate, biodiversity, and energy crises, collaborative efforts to ensure sustainable development of the North are increasingly critical.
Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, which affirms its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Arctic region and the health and safety of Indigenous Northern communities, presents an opportunity to address these issues while also deepening its engagement in Asia. It is also crucial that an integrated whole-of-government approach is taken to address these pressing issues.
While the Arctic is geographically remote, many different Canadian interests are at stake, which are discussed separately in various strategies. Integrating the Arctic strands of these strategies is necessary for Canada to achieve its aims and provides opportunities for new avenues of engagement with Indo-Pacific partners. These panels will raise the importance of examining the Arctic through various strategies– the Indo-Pacific Strategy, the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, the updated Defence Policy, and the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework – each of which make references to the Arctic.
Notable Speakers:
- Hema Nadarajah, Manager, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada; Arctic360, Canada: Integrating Canada’s strategies on the Indo-Pacific, Defence, and Critical Minerals in the Arctic
- Ken Coates, Director of Indigenous Affairs, Macdonald-Laurier Institute; Professor, Yukon University, Canada: Yukon Security Council and Its Role In Driving Canadian Arctic Interests
- Jessica M. Shadian, President & CEO, Arctic360, Canada: Innovation, Investment, FDI, Infrastructure, Critical Minerals In The Canadian Arctic
- Shioichi Itoh, Senior Fellow, Institute of Energy Economics, Japan: Japan's Role in the Arctic
