An Arctic in Flux: Singapore's Perspective

Abstract

A mid multiple global crises and conflicts, the often-cited concept of Arctic exceptionalism—the unique governance that has facilitated cooperation in the region—has come under strain.1 A series of overlapping and multilayered geopolitical issues present challenges to Arctic governance, which is often assumed to be resistant to conflict elsewhere, and to cooperation, the “norm” of the region. From escalating tensions between the United States and China to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the ever-accelerating climate crisis, the Arctic is undeniably at a point of inflection. With the Arctic Council’s activities currently paused due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, concerns over the role of the council’s observer states, including Asian states Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, and India, have been raised. However, despite this pause in the region’s preeminent high-level intergovernmental forum and the Covid-19 pandemic, not all activity in the high north has been frozen. States have remained active within the Arctic—observer states have continued to articulate official strategies and pay senior-level official visits to the region, while hopeful observers, such as Estonia, are advocating for admission to the Arctic Council.2 It is clear that non-Arctic states’ interest in the polar region