Session "Shifting Poles: Asia's Role in Arctic Geopolitics and Governance" at UArctic Congress 2026

Located in Locker Room 3 of the Arena built for handball tournaments, við Tjarnir, our roundtable panel in at the UArctic Congress 2026 in Torshavn explored the profound implications of increasing Asian engagement in the Arctic. As climate change opens new pathways, non-Arctic states, particularly from Asia, are becoming pivotal actors, reshaping a region traditionally dominated by Arctic Council members.

Photo: Juha Saunavaara, Hajime Kimura, Yeonji Ghim (speaking) (photo credit: Aileen Aseron Espiritu)

Granted a double-time session, the roundtable panel interrogated the complex interplay among Asian interests and Arctic governance, international relations, and geopolitical stability. Presentations examined how Asian states' economic, scientific (including natural science perspectives on environmental changes and resource impacts, and the role of science diplomacy), and strategic ambitions influence Arctic policies and power dynamics. Conversely, we also questioned the Arctic's impact on Asian foreign policy and quests to be recognized as Arctic players. Key questions included: How do diverse Asian perspectives contribute to or challenge existing governance norms and structures? What are the implications for multilateral cooperation and potential areas of friction?

Photo: Our audience participants. Guðbjörg Ríkey Th. Hauksdóttir (in the lovely flowered dress) speaking.

Our interactive roundtable format brought together three young scholars, and two established ones to the panel and was attended by between 18-20 very interested participants. Prioritizing open dialogue, our session encouraged nuanced perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of these evolving interests. Our audience delivered on making our discussions both lively and challenging with questions and input that promises to add to the value of our Thematic Network in the years to come. Understanding "Arctic in Asia and Asia in the Arctic" is crucial for navigating future international relations and ensuring stability, sustainability, and peace in the region. This roundtable offered a timely contribution to the UArctic Congress 2026 under the theme of "International relations, Arctic governance, and geopolitical stability."

Moderator: Juha Saunavaara, Arctic Research Centre, Hokkaido University

Introduction to the Roundtable Panel: Aileen A. Espritu, GPS UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Presentations:

• Yeonji Ghim, University of Iceland
  Corporate Agency in the Arctic: South Korean Shipyards and Russian Oil and Gas Projects
  Epost: yeg3@hi.is 
• Sevil Khikmatova, University of Turku
  Japan at the Shifting Poles: Scientific Diplomacy in the Arctic.
  Epost: sevil.s.khikmatova@utu.fi,
• Guðbjörg Ríkey Th. Hauksdóttir University of Iceland
  Sino-Russian Arctic Cooperation
  Epost: grikey@hi.is
• Aileen A. Espiritu, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
  Drivers of South-East Asian Arctic Engagement: Singapore and Taiwan Compared
  Epost: aileen.a.espiritu@uit.no
• Hajime Kimura, JAMSTEC
  Distinctive Characteristics of Japan's Arctic Approach and Engagement with Arctic Governance
  Epost: kimura.hajime@jamstec.go.jp

Roundtable Discussion Q&A from the audience

Aileen: Closing remarks and the way forward

Three outputs related to our Roundtable and our TN on Arctic in Asia and Asia and Asia in the Arctic may be found here:

Juha Saunavaara, Arctic Research Center, Hokkaido University and Vice-Lead of the UArctic Thematic Network on Arctic  in Asia and Asia in the Arctic, has published a commentary titled “The Role of EU-Japan Collaboration in Trans-Arctic Cable Development” in the Arctic Institute’s Japan Series 2026.  Read the full article Arctic Cables.

And

Hajime Kimura, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) “Distinctive Characteristics of Japan's Arctic Approach and Engagement with Arctic Governance” Read the full article Japan's Arctic Approach

And

Aileen A. Espíritu, Marc Lanteigne, and Tse-Kang Leng. “Taiwan’s Arctic Imperative: Navigating A New Global Frontier,”Taiwan Insight. The op-ed may be found here Taiwan in the Arctic.