Arctic Circle Forum Discusses Scientific Collaboration, Calls for Reduced Geopolitical Tension

At the Reykjavik‑held Arctic Circle Forum 2026, delegates from more than 70 states examined ways to strengthen scientific cooperation in the high‑north. Former Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Fu Ying underscored that the region’s most urgent challenge is climate change, not geopolitical rivalry.

She pointed out that rapid sea‑ice loss and rising temperatures demand coordinated research efforts, expanded monitoring networks, and shared funding mechanisms. Fu argued that investing in science delivers tangible benefits for all Arctic stakeholders.

Conversely, she condemned discussions centered on imagined security threats, labeling them a misallocation of limited resources. According to Fu, focusing on speculative geopolitical contests undermines the collective ability to address environmental emergencies.

The forum also revisited the joint 2025 China‑Iceland declaration, which pledged cooperation on green energy and climate resilience. Fu described this as a practical illustration of China’s policy priorities in the Arctic, aimed at fostering sustainable development rather than strategic competition.

In her closing remarks, Fu affirmed China’s commitment to peaceful progress, rejecting any ambition to assert dominance and promoting a more balanced global governance model through inclusive cooperation.