Arctic sovereignty has been a key focus for Canada since the 2000's

Things like preservation of the environment, access to rescores and control of the North West passage as a potential shipping route have caused an increased interest in Arctic control

America became an Arctic country with its purchase of Alaska

Some interests for America include national and homeland security, environmentalism and sustainable development.

They also want to promote scientific research in the area

Russia has about 53% of the Arctic coastline

Sustainable development

Russia wants to use the Arctic as a resource base, helping the socio-economic development of the country

They want to keep the Arctic a peaceful and cooperative area

Environmental conservation of the Arctic

Use the Northern Sea Route as a shipping route

Greenland is an Arctic country, meaning it's in the Arctic circle

It used to be a territory of Denmark, but has gained some sovereignty, although Denmark still has a lot of influence

Many countries are wanting control of Greenland, due to all the untapped oil reserves and other natural resources

This has led to dispute between Greenland's desire to be sovereign, America's desire to control it and Denmark's desire to control it

Half of Norway's landmass is in the Arctic

Some national interests include fishing, as this is the largest export in the Norway Arctic region

Tourism - the Norwegian Arctic attracts a lot of tourism

Hydroelectricity and wind power

Gas and refineries

Mining coal and iron

About a third of Finland's in the Arctic region

Their main national interest in the Arctic is science and technology development

Sustainable development in the Arctic

Developing in the fields of meteorology (the study of the air and weather phenomena) and oceanographic (the study of the physical and biological properties of the sea) in the Arctic region to improve safety and help shipping and air traffic internationally

Improving the Arctic educational opportunities by creating a stronger network of experts and univercites

One third of Sweden is in the Arctic region

They have a great emphasis on climate research in the Arctic

Sweden has used icebreakers to create shipping routes and make it safer for ships

They have worked with the Arctic people to help fix social issues like food security, gender equality, economic development and language preservation

They have strengthened the Arctic Council and improved it

They work to keep the Arctic were policy tensions are low

This is used to resolve ocean related issues

It details the rights responsibilities countries have pertaining to the ocean, seabed and the resources there, as well as protection of the ocean environment

It outlines coastline sovereignty, rights, jurisdiction and the right for the costal countries to use resources on their coast like fishing and oil

It also details how countries can respond when other countries are in their coastal zones

It lays out things such as the rights for navigation, laying cables, conducting research and the ability for all countries to enjoy the ocean outside of their defined area

UNCLOS grants countries ocean sovereignty within 200 nautical miles from their coast, unless they can prove that their continental shelf extends beyond that

This has caused some dispute, as many countries want to gain control over the resources in the ocean

Many countries have tried to claim that they have claim to the Arctic waters, via the continental shelf, such as China

They acknowledge customary international law, which is applicable to any nation state

This has granted Canada sovereignty over the surrounding waters of the Northern islands, under the grounds of historic customary law

There are several main disputed Arctic regions

The Northwest Passage

Beaufort Sea

Lomonosov Ridge

Hans Island

Canada claims that the Northwest Passage is Canadian waters, through historical claims

But it is not universally recognized as such by all countries

Some countries, like the United States, claim it is international waters and dose not require Canada's permission to pass through

The Beaufort Sea is a region bordering Alaska and The Northwest Territories

There has been dispute over where the border is between the U.S. and Canada

Canada claims the border should follow the 141st meridian west, while America claims it should be equally divided between the two.

Despite the dispute, America's and Canada's interests have been so close to each other, it has hardly even mattered.

However, with America's changing interests, this may not be the case anymore

The Lomonosov Ridge is an undersea mountain ridge running from the continental shelf of Serbia towards Greenland and Canada

Russia, Greenland and Canada all claim it's part of their land all three trying to claim sovereignty over the area

Denmark claims it's an extension of Greenland

Russia claims its an extension of the Serbian islands

Canada claims its an extension of some islands in Nunavut

Hans Island lies in between Greenland and Canada

Canada and Greenland had defined the borders for where one country's continental shelf ended and the other started, without clearly defining who got Hans Island

This has led to dispute with both countries planting flags and sending military, trying to claim it as their own

Both countries have tried to claim the land through historical ground

Arctic politics connects to nationalism, as all the countries involved are trying to work for the best interest of their country as well as trying to preserve their historical roots and traditions

Certain supranational organizations have been involved such as the Arctic Council and UN to help establish rules, peace and encourage Arctic countries to work towards common goals

There has been many groups of people trying to claim sovereignty over Arctic regions such as the First Nations who lived their, as well as the various nation states of the Arctic