International Arctic Scientific Cooperation: Institutionalization of the Legal Regime

Abstract

Ensuring security in the Arctic in various areas and the need for a better understanding of the natural processes occurring in this region require intensification of scientific and technological cooperation, which opens up opportunities for closer interaction to solve other problems, for example, environmental protection, adaptation to climate change, safe maritime navigation and so on. Scientific and technological cooperation in the Arctic is carried out in various formats. The Arctic Council continues to play a peculiar coordinating role in international scientific cooperation, which has proposed various initiatives related to the development of scientific cooperation. The author emphasizes the implementation of scientific cooperation in the context of the scientific diplomacy development as an integral process in the information society, when scientific data is important for diplomatic activity, when diplomacy provides conditions for the development of international scientific cooperation, and finally, when science affects the vectors of cooperation, ensuring the solution of problems in various areas. Particular attention is given to the analysis of the 2017 Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation, since the problems existing in the Arctic region require coordinated and carefully planned collective actions. Issues related to the types of research activities, the specifics of the spatial scope of the Agreement and access to the established geographical areas are considered. Finally, some conclusions are proposed regarding the assessment of the Agreement. The agreement improves the quality of the legal environment for all 8 Arctic states simultaneously in terms of scientific cooperation, taking into account the relevant provisions of international law, including those related to marine scientific research.