View Minister Blinken’s comments about the strategy here
The Arctic – home to more than four million people, extensive natural resources and unique ecosystems – is undergoing dramatic transformation. Driven by climate change, this transformation will challenge livelihoods in the Arctic while creating new economic opportunities. The United States is an Arctic nation, which carries with it the responsibility of stewarding and protecting this region, especially during this period of change.
The United States strives for an Arctic region that is peaceful, stable, prosperous and cooperative. The new National Strategy for the Arctic articulates an affirmative US agenda for the next decade to realize this vision. This strategy, an update of its predecessor from 2013, addresses the climate crisis with greater urgency and drives new investments in sustainable development to improve the livelihoods of Arctic residents while preserving the environment. It is also responsible for increasing strategic competition in the Arctic, exacerbated by Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine and the People’s Republic of China’s increased efforts to gain influence in the region, and seeks to position the United States to both effectively compete as tensions to manage.
This strategy recognizes that there is no clear line between foreign and domestic policy. Realizing our vision during this dynamic period requires American leadership at home and abroad. We will advance US interests in the Arctic through four mutually reinforcing pillars covering both domestic and international issues.
This strategy is intended to provide a framework for the US government’s approach to address new challenges and opportunities in the Arctic. Our work will be guided by five principles that will be applied to all four pillars.
