Review of Emerging Legal Orders in the Arctic: The Role of Non-Arctic Actors (Edited by Akiho Shibata, Leilei Zou, Nikolas Sellheim, and Marzia Scopelliti)

Andreas Kuersten

doi:10.22584/nr50.2020.017

Abstract

Review of Emerging Legal Orders in the Arctic: The Role of Non-Arctic Actors (Edited by Akiho Shibata, Leilei Zou, Nikolas Sellheim, and Marzia Scopelliti)

Highlights

The first entry, by Timo Koivurova, helpfully parses what determines whether an entity is considered Arctic or non-Arctic
Subsequent chapters build on the foundation laid by Koivurova and can be effectively organized according to the subjects they address, with a clear delineation between those that primarily assess actors and those that primarily assess regional bodies. With regard to the former, a great deal of attention is paid to Asian states, and China in particular
They, frequently circumvent established associations by using direct state-to-state diplomacy, working outside of the framework built and promoted by Arctic states. This creates friction in northern relations and, “as a result,”Tonami claims that “the Arctic legal order has entered a period of contested multilateralism” (41)

Summary

Introduction

The first entry, by Timo Koivurova, helpfully parses what determines whether an entity is considered Arctic or non-Arctic. Both seek economic gain and increased regional and global standing: Russia covets the benefits of having an important international trade route along its coast facilitating Arctic natural resource extraction and industry, and China desires an additional shipping route to Europe and the securing of resources and goods through investments in Russia’s northern projects—Chinese investment is welcome given Western sanctions on Russia in response to its annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine (see Kuersten 2015).

Results

Conclusion