Statesmen’s Forum featuring Iceland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, on the changing political, strategic, and economic dynamics in the Arctic. As both a founding member of NATO and a member of the Arctic Council, Iceland has a unique position in the region as the only country that lies entirely within the boundaries of the Arctic. Arctic and non-Arctic states alike are becoming increasingly interested in the potential economic opportunities in the region as well. China has become a more active player in Arctic affairs as an Arctic Council Observer State and has fostered strong bilateral ties with Iceland, including the negotiation of a 2013 free-trade agreement between the two countries. Beyond the Arctic’s economic dimensions, Russia is rapidly developing its defense and security capabilities in its Arctic region. Minister Sveinsson will offer his insights on the evolving dynamics and strategic importance of the Arctic, the future of Arctic cooperation, relations with Russia and the growing engagement of non-Arctic states in the region, as well as the prospects for the U.S. chairmanship of the Arctic Council.

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