The world is just beginning to recognize the importance of the Arctic.Its environment drives global weather patterns, but also serves as a bellwether for the changes our planet is undergoing as a result of a rapidly changing global climate; it has vibrant Indigenous communities that celebrate their traditional ties to the land and play an increasingly crucial role in regional and international governance; it has vast economic potential in natural resource development, the blue ocean economy, alternative energy sources and technologies; and the cooperative nature amongst Arctic states in addressing the foregoing issues and opportunities can serve as a model for constructive international governance in other regions.
