STOCKHOLM - SIPRI has released a paper today that examines how the traditional state-centred governance of the Arctic region is opening up to non-state actors.

The Arctic is faced with growing environmental and geopolitical challenges, which require international governance involving a range of actors. Existing research has a limited understanding of the role played by civil society organizations (CSOs) in the emerging governance of the region. This SIPRI Insights paper has reviewed the existing literature and used novel survey data to analyse the involvement of CSOs in terms of their roles and their beliefs in Arctic governance. It finds that CSOs monitor agreements and push for regional accountability, support the implementation of policies, engage in advocacy work, support information sharing and provide input during geopolitical crises. It also finds that CSOs have weak levels of belief in the legitimacy of Arctic governance institutions, or in the appropriateness and impact of their governance of the region. Based on these findings, the paper makes recommendations for the further involvement of CSOs in Arctic governance.

About the authors

Emilie Broek is a Research Analyst with SIPRI’s Climate Change and Risk Programme.

Nicholas Olczak (United Kingdom/Netherlands) is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Economic History and International Relations at Stockholm University and an Associate Fellow of the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI).

Lisa Dellmuth (Germany/Sweden) is a Professor of International Relations in the Department of Economic History and International Relations at Stockholm University.

To download the full publication, visit: https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/the_involvement_of_civil_society_organizations_in_arctic_governance_0.pdf