Opportunities and Challenges in the High North

Technological and environmental challenges have significantly increased the global importance of the High North region as a playground for international actors as they assert their national security interests. Alongside the notable challenges come a number of growing opportunities that redefine the High North’s strategic importance:

• The chance to tap new petroleum resources
• New sea transportation routes
• The demand for high-quality white fish from the Barents Sea, which has become a multi-billion dollar business
• The importance of and interests in eco-tourism
• Cross-border commercial and cultural exchanges between Russia and its Arctic neighbors