NEWS At the end of September, the Swedish government submitted its strategy for the arctic region to the parliament. It contains the government's goals and priorities as well as the political direction for a sustainable development in the Arctic.
The north of Sweden is part of the Arctic.
Image Peter van der MeulenApproximately 4 million people live in the Arctic, where sparsely populated areas, large unpopulated areas and relatively large cities are typical. Sweden is one of the eight arctic countries together with Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Canada, Norway, Russia, and the United States.
The Swedish Government's Strategy for the Arctic Region (2020) builds upon the earlier Strategy for the Arctic Region (2011) and Strengthening Environmental Policy for the Arctic (2016). In the 2020 strategy, the government defines the Swedish Arctic as comprising Västerbotten and Norrbotten counties, based on their participation in the Baren Council's activities. This marks a shift from earlier indications (2018) that the mountain range in Jämtland might also be included in the government's definition of the Swedish Arctic.
The strategy si divided into the following six areas:
The government presents its views on the Arctic today
ImagePeter van der MeulenThe government presents its views on the Arctic today and what they want to focus on. Among other things, the government wants to provide support for the expansion of broadband where commercial actors do not want to establish, and they want to review the living conditions for young people. They also want to support transport systems in a Nordic - Russian co-operation, and cultivate collaboration regarding the Arctic with Germany.
The Arctic is an important part of our immediate area with increasing strategic and economic importance
They highlight the importance of international cooperation and portray a selection of the arctic cooperation that is established already. They want to focus on polar research with expeditions and stations, and attract international investors in sustainable extraction and processing of arctic raw materials.
The government wants to promote the Arctic profile
ImageHenrik Stenberg“Sweden is an arctic country. The Arctic is an important part of our immediate area with increasing strategic and economic significance, "said foreign minister Ann Linde in a press release.
Based on the knowledge and assets available, the government wants to elevate our arctic image and contribute to a peaceful, stable and sustainable development here.
Read the full report on the parliament’s website (in Swedish)
Text: Anngelica Kristoferqvist