The Web of Arctic Governance Fora

The web of Arctic governance exists in relation to but also beyond the Arctic Council. This chapter highlights that there are many intergovernmental and interparliamentary platforms as well as meeting places for civil society. These range from bodies for interstate cooperation to representation for the public, Indigenous Peoples, and economic interests, to fora for interpersonal and informal exchanges of ideas and knowledge. The existence of these fora makes Arctic governance considerably resilient and independent from the functioning of the Arctic Council. Yet, due to rising geopolitical tensions, a shift in Arctic governance is expected away from interstate fora, such as the Council, increasing the significance of other actors in the web of Arctic governance, likely coinciding with a shift in authority and new modes of participation. These changes may not benefit all groups, perhaps least of all the Indigenous representatives who had an elevated status in the Council as Permanent Participants. Going forward, the challenge for Arctic governance fora will be to bring local and regional debates to a global audience because it is only at the global level that the major issues affecting the region can be adequately addressed.