The Norwegian Government’s Arctic Policy – People, opportunities and Norwegian interests in the Arctic.

The present Arctic Policy is a cross-sectoral document that incorporates both foreign and domestic policy issues. It covers the Arctic area, defined as the sea and land areas between the North Pole and the Arctic Circle, the High north and North Norway. The Policy focuses on the international picture, relations with neighbouring countries in the Barents region, the northernmost regions of Finland, Norway and Sweden (known in Nordic countries as the North Calotte), and the development of North Norway. Its overarching goals are: Peace, stability and predictability; International cooperation and the international legal order; Integrated, ecosystem-based management; Increased job creation and value creation; Closer cooperation between the business sector and knowledge institutions; Effective welfare schemes and ensuring that North Norway is an attractive place to live.
The main features of Norway's Arctic Policy in the years ahead include: Highlighting the benefits of cooperation; Promoting respect for international law; Taking a broad-based approach to climate change and the environment in the Arctic; Working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals; Promoting job creation and value creation; Being at the forefront of technological development; Preserving the identity and culture of national indigenous communities; and Promoting Kven/Norwegian Finn identity and culture.
The Policy includes a bundle of inter-related policy measures and initiatives to be implemented in these areas, some of which are: maintaining a consistent and predictable approach and a strong and credible defense in cooperation with our allies and partners; taking steps to ensure that Norway’s greenhouse gas emissions are reduced in line with national targets and international commitments; promoting closer cooperation between the business community and the higher education sector, with a view to creating attractive jobs in the north; promoting the development of environmentally-friendly towns and cities across the country, and specially in North Norway, that provide a good quality of life for people and good conditions for businesses; Raising awareness of the history of North Norway; exploring new ways of strengthening Sami culture, cultural industries and tourism, in consultation with the Sámediggi; facilitating the preservation of the Kven language and Kven/Norwegian Finn culture and society; the preservation of the Kven language and Kven/Norwegian Finn culture and society; maintaining Norway’s dialogue with the EU and key member states on the EU’s Arctic policy; working to ensure that the Arctic Council remains the most important intergovernmental body for cooperation in the region; strengthening Arctic cooperation on ocean issues and climate change, and promote sustainable business development in the Arctic that combines conservation and sustainable use; continue to monitor climate change and ocean acidification in Arctic seas; etc.