Science Diplomacy as a New Form of Arctic Governance

Global challenges, such as human-induced climate change, food security, nuclear non-proliferation and infectious diseases have led to transitions and transformations world-wide, which also necessitated international cooperation to address these multi-layered challenges accordingly. While alarming rate of melting sea ice and loss of glaciermass, as well as depletion of natural resources have carried the terms sustainability and sustainable development at the top of the global agenda, the diplomatic value of cross-border scientific networks are increasingly recognized in polar regions. The tools and techniques of foreign policy are obliged to comply with a world of increasing scientific and technical complexity in order to formulate an effective diplomacy process. Hence, at the nexus of science and diplomacy, science diplomacy holds potential to promote sustainability governance across the Arctic region. The aim of this study is to examine the role of science diplomacy as a new form of governance in the Arctic. How science diplomacy generates solutions for inherent tensions, as well as its boundaries and limitations are also discussed.

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