Greenland with New Arctic Strategy: Defense, Diplomacy and Peace

The Government of Greenland has announced its new Foreign, Security, and Defense Strategy 2024 - 2033, reports KNR, the Greenlandic Broadcasting Corporation.

The strategy, titled 'Greenland in the World — Nothing about us without us,' outlines Greenland's foreign, security, and defense policy, in addition to addressing the needs and concerns of an Arctic nation and an Arctic people.

The strategy refers to changes in the world order and increasing uncertainty, including Brexit, COVID-19, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as incentives for Greenland to "act, adapt, and get involved."

As the title suggests, Greenland aims to form closer ties to the world, particularly its neighbors in the North, by strengthening North-to-North cooperation and ties between the Arctic people. 

Arctic North American forum

The country detects a need for stronger collaboration between the governments and parliaments of Alaska, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Greenland.

In order to better discuss joint issues such as climate change, wildlife, healthcare and educational challenges, and social issues, the country will work toward establishing an Arctic North American forum. 

The forum will work as a regional, intergovernmental collaborative body to work on pressing issues and develop opportunities in the region, such as the mining sector, renewable energy sources, tourism, and supply chain security, e.g.

A leading role in the Arctic Council

Greenland also seeks to play a leading role in Denmark's delegation to the Arctic Council. In 2025, Denmark will take over the chairship of the council from Norway. As part of its foreign policy, Greenland writes that it "must play a leading role in the Kingdom of Denmark's delegation to the Arctic Council because we are the Arctic part of the Kingdom."

In 2021, Greenland and the Faroe Islands were given a more active and prominent role in the Arctic Council. The elevated roles involved Greenland speaking first at Council meetings, followed by the Faroe Islands, and ending with Denmark, while Greenland also would be the main signatory to any declarations. 

Namely, the strategy is a further development of the foreign policy that Greenland has worked toward in the past years.

In addition to purely Arctic cooperation forums, Greenland also aims to be more present and vocal in the UN, EU, and to continue its collaboration with regional councils and organisations, such as NEAFC, NAFO, the ICC, and NASCO.

Additional areas of development

The strategy also goes into the development of civil preparedness and critical infrastructure, and that there is no desire for a larger military presence in Greenland.

Moreover, the Greenlandic government states that it wants the Arctic to remain a low-tension area. By extension, the Government of Greenland suggests the establishment of a peace center with a focus on peace in the Arctic. 

The report can be read in its entirety on the Government of Greenland's website.