The UK’s new Arctic policy is more explicit — but still conservative

The biggest change since the UK's last Arctic policy was adopted in 2013 is Brexit, but it's still unclear what impact that will have on the UK's role in the Arctic.

The United Kingdom adopted a new Arctic policy framework earlier this year, and while it supports the status quo, the strategy is more explicit when it comes to connecting Arctic interests to its broader foreign policy interests, as a part of ‘Global Britain.’

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK published the new policy document towards the Arctic in the beginning of April this year, updating the UK’s Arctic policy from 2013. The document reiterates the three concepts of respect, co-operation and appropriate leadership, but is less conservative than the previous policy document when it comes to its role and interests in the region.