Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic: an assessment

Abstract

Despite certain actions suggesting potential confrontations, it has been claimed that a significant level of cooperation is taking place in the Arctic. At the core of pan-Arctic cooperation is the Arctic Council. In May 2011, the member states of the Arctic Council adopted the first legally binding instrument negotiated under its auspices, entitled “Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic”. This article seeks to examine the significance of the conclusion of this Agreement from the perspective of the law of the sea through the analysis of its provisions as well as broader implications. It first briefly describes the background leading to the adoption of the Agreement. It then thoroughly analyses the content of the Agreement. On this basis, it explores the implications of the Agreement for the future of Arctic governance, in particular from the perspective of the prospective role of the Arctic Council.