Inter-polar Dialogue at the Arctic Circle India Forum: Advancing Inclusive Climate Governance Across Polar Regions

 PC: Observer Research Foundation

By Kamrul Hossain

I was honored to be invited to a high-level session organized by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation at the Arctic Circle India Forum. The forum took place from May 3–4, 2025, at the Taj Palace in New Delhi. The event emphasized the importance of addressing climate challenges through scientific collaboration and inclusive governance in polar and high-altitude regions worldwide.

Convened under the banner of the Interpolar Dialogue, the session brought together leading experts, policymakers, and researchers to explore shared vulnerabilities and promote cooperative strategies in response to the rapidly changing climate. Moderated by Santosh Kumar Rauniyar, project advisor at the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, the dialogue served as a timely platform for reinforcing the need for a united international response to environmental changes affecting the Arctic and non-Arctic regions alike.

Amid rising global interest, the Forum highlighted Asia’s growing engagement in Arctic affairs, addressing critical topics such as climate change, sustainable development, maritime cooperation, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. Among the distinguished participants was H.E. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, the former prime minister of Iceland and chair of the Arctic Circle Polar Dialogue. She delivered a compelling keynote address. Jakobsdóttir stressed the urgency of collaborative Arctic governance and advocated for inclusive decision-making processes that integrate indigenous knowledge, scientific research, and equitable global partnerships. Other high-profile speakers included: Hiroyuki Enomoto, vice director of the Arctic Environment Research Center and senior fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation; Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, director general of ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development); and Mitsutaku Makino, president of the Ocean Policy Research Institute.

Their contributions covered a wide range of topics, including Japan’s long-standing commitment to Arctic observation, the importance of international data sharing, and the parallels between the Arctic and the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) regions regarding glacial retreat. These discussions reinforced the need for intensified South–North research collaboration, adaptation planning, and integrated ocean and polar governance frameworks that balance ecological integrity with socioeconomic development.

As the UArctic Chair in Arctic Legal Research and Education and the Director of the Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law at the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, I provided a legal perspective on the topic. I focused my intervention on the evolving legal and governance challenges in the Arctic and the importance of frameworks that uphold Indigenous rights while addressing broader international concerns.

I explained that "governance" refers to the system by which a geographic area is organized politically and economically. This system encompasses decision-making structures, the actors involved, and interactions across jurisdictional levels. In polar and high mountain regions, such as the Arctic, the Antarctic, and the Third Pole (HKH), governance frameworks differ significantly due to variations in geography, sovereignty, and legal regimes. The Arctic and the HKH comprise areas under national jurisdiction as well as international domains, such as the High Seas in the Arctic. In contrast, the Antarctic is governed by a comprehensive international treaty regime that suspends territorial claims in favor of peaceful use and scientific exploration.

This complexity requires robust cooperation guided by legal frameworks at the national and international levels. The governance of the Arctic and the Third Pole (HKH) regions must facilitate transboundary collaboration to address shared challenges, including climate change, environmental protection, and water resource management. International law plays a facilitative role, but national legal systems remain central to implementing effective governance mechanisms.

Given that the impacts of climate change are occurring up to 3–4 times faster in polar and high-altitude regions, there is an evident need for an inter-polar mechanism. However, such a framework should be based on the uniqueness of each region rather than being replicated in a comparable manner. Each region has its own unique characteristics. Prioritizing knowledge-sharing on cryosphere dynamics and their cascading effects is more important. The Himalayan-Karatschi-Hindu-Kush (HKH) region and the Arctic, in particular, could benefit from sharing knowledge. The Arctic Council’s inclusive governance model combines top-down and bottom-up approaches, involving both state and non-state actors, including indigenous communities. This model could benefit the Third Pole Himalayan-Karakoram-Hindu Kush (HKH) region by integrating the knowledge of diverse indigenous, tribal, and local groups.

A key recommendation for advancing the Interpolar Dialogue is establishing an inclusive governance framework that is rooted in local contexts and responsive to the needs of local stakeholders and communities. This framework should be supported by a structured, multi-stakeholder platform that fosters sustained collaboration among scientific, governmental, indigenous, local, and international stakeholders. This endeavor must be guided by a clear strategic vision that focuses on shared polar challenges, promotes joint research, and harmonizes environmental governance strategies across the Arctic, Antarctic, and Himalayan-Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) regions.

Throughout the panel discussion, a unifying message emerged: addressing global climate challenges requires a spirit of interpolar solidarity. As the Arctic continues to warm at more than twice the global average, participants emphasized the urgency of establishing cooperative frameworks, facilitating mutual learning, and strengthening international engagement.

The session concluded with a resounding call to action, urging scientists, policymakers, and civil society to continue building bridges across polar regions. This call extends beyond research and policy to include ethics, inclusivity, and sustained commitment for the benefit of present and future generations.