Subject matter experts and policy experts from ten countries gathered in Tokyo July 14 – 16 for a workshop focused on the growing strategic importance of the Arctic region in maritime security.

The workshop titled “Ensuring Maritime Stability, Security and International Collaboration in a Changing Arctic,” sought to build cooperation globally in sustaining peace, stability, rule of law, and responsible resource management in the Arctic region. The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies co-hosted the event with Japan’s Oceans Policy Research Institute Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

Fifty-one participants hailed from the five Arctic littoral states, Canada, Russia, the United States, Norway and Denmark, all nations that share a maritime border to the Arctic Ocean and make up the Arctic Council. Also represented were Japan, China, Singapore, South Korea, and India, all of which are permanent observers to the Arctic Council.

The workshop objective was to specifically outline Asian states’ core Arctic security interests and policy priorities in four key areas: freedom of navigation, maritime security, sustainable resource extraction, and environmental management challenges. Workshop sessions aided participating states in building a prioritized agenda for Arctic governance, maritime security issues, rule of law, and resource management. The key Asian states are developing their Arctic priorities and interests with an eye towards integration into Arctic states’ current policy frameworks. The workshop enabled littoral nations to better understand Asian states’ strategic interests and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Among guest speakers were Mr. Yukio Kato, Secretary General, The Secretariat of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of Japan; Kazuko Shiraishi, Japan’s Ambassador in charge of Arctic Affairs; Evan Bloom , Director of the U.S. State Department’s Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs; Mr. Hiroshi Terashima, President OPRI SPF; and Lt. Gen. (Ret) Daniel Leaf, APCSS director.