Priorities and limitations of development of international scientific cooperation of circumpolar countries in the field of sustainable development of the Arctic

Abstract

Aim. To identify priorities and limitations of the development of international scientific cooperation of circumpolar countries in the field of sustainable development of the Arctic.Tasks. To characterize circumpolar countries with identification of their natural, climatic and socio-economic features; to assess the impact of climate change on the sustainable development of circumpolar countries; to identify priorities for the development of international scientific cooperation in the field of sustainable development of the Arctic in the context of climate change; to identify the features of Arctic policy of circumpolar countries in modern conditions.Methods. The methodology of the presented study was developed based on its goal and the set scientific objectives. Arctic climate change is assessed by comparing a set of indicators for the period from 1971 to the present. The key priorities of the state Arctic policies of circumpolar countries are identified on the basis of the analysis of their political and program documents. The priorities for the development of international cooperation in the field of sustainable development of the Arctic are identified on the basis of the author’s works and correlated with the opinion of authoritative Arctic researchers.Results. The conducted research has shown that the rapid climate change in the Arctic has become the main challenge of natural origin to the sustainable development of circumpolar countries. The following priorities of scientific research within the framework of international cooperation of circumpolar countries in the field of sustainable development of the Arctic have been identified: first, comprehensive study of natural, anthropogenic, socio-economic processes in the Arctic; second, thorough documentation of the identified features; third, creation of a unified international database reflecting the ecological, economic, and social state of the Arctic territories; fourth, comprehensive modeling and assessment of the impact of climate change on the sustainable development of the Arctic; third, creation of a single international database reflecting the ecological, economic, and social state of the Arctic territories; third, creation of a single international database reflecting the ecological, economic, and social state of the Arctic territories; fourth, comprehensive modeling and assessment of the impact of climate change in the Arctic.Conclusions. The climate challenge of sustainable development of the Arctic territories can only be met through individual and joint efforts of all circumpolar countries. Initially, the national strategies of the circumpolar countries were based on a common aspiration: to work through close cooperation, including scientific cooperation, with international partners to achieve the common goal of creating a peaceful, economically successful and sustainable future for the Arctic. The exclusion of the Russian Federation (RF) from international scientific cooperation on issues of environmental management in the context of climate change repeatedly increases the risks of sustainable development of the Arctic territories.