Military leaders advance Arctic security, cooperation in semi-annual forum

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Military leaders advance Arctic security, cooperation in semi-annual forum

Alaska Army National Guard infantry soldiers conduct military tactical movements, while engaging with opposing forces during a field training exercise near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Dec. 3, 2022. The exercise was aimed at enhancing the unit's combat readiness and to evaluate proficiency in the Arctic.

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Photo by: Spc. Bradford Jackson 

As international attention continues to focus on deterring military aggression in the strategically important High North, 12 senior military leaders from 11 European and North American nations met virtually today for the semi-annual Arctic Security Forces Roundtable (ASFR).

Hosted by the Netherlands Armed Forces, this 17th iteration of the roundtable was held on the heels of ASFR member nations unanimously approving a new Terms of Reference and “Holistic Approach for Arctic Cooperation” agreement, both of which serve as the forum’s guiding framework.

“The Arctic is crucial for the Netherlands’ foreign security policy in many respects,” stated Army Brig. Marcel Buis, deputy director of operations for the Netherlands Defense Staff and host of this fall’s virtual gathering.  “We believe that a safe, stable, sustainable, peaceful and prosperous Arctic is vital not only for the region itself but for the entire world.”

“The Netherlands has both strategic and day-to-day interests in Arctic matters and maintains active engagement with Arctic states,” he added. “Ultimately, we view the Arctic as a prime example of why multilateral cooperation is so important. While Arctic nations bear the primary responsibility for issues in their own territory, many challenges in the region are best tackled through regional or multilateral collaboration, such as the ASFR.” 

The senior military officials discussed a wide range of issues impacting security in the Arctic with particular emphasis on the collective ways to amplify and accelerate NATO's efforts in the High North. Through shared Arctic awareness and enhanced Arctic operations, ASFR member nations seek to promote a secure, stable Arctic region where nations work cooperatively to address mutual challenges.

“NATO has an inherently stabilizing role in the Arctic region,” said Air Force Brig. Gen. Gjert Lage Dyndal, the Norwegian Defense Staff’s chief of operations and ASFR’s co-chair. “As the geopolitical landscape evolves, collective defense and cooperation among member nations are vital to safeguard our shared interests, uphold international rules and norms, and promote sustainable development in this rapidly changing region.”

ASFR conducts two meetings each year, alternating between in-person gatherings hosted by Arctic nations Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden or the U.S. and virtual gatherings hosted by observer nations France, Germany, the Netherlands or the U.K.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Quaid Quadri Jr., U.S. European Command’s (USEUCOM) deputy director for Security Cooperation, Partnering, Policy and Space Capabilities and ASFR’s other co-chair, said, “Amid the vastness of the Arctic, our commitment to security and cooperation stands firm. Together, U.S. European Command will work by, with and through our NATO Allies to protect our shared interests and preserve the peace of the Arctic region.”

ASFR’s next gathering – an in-person meeting – is slated to be hosted by Norway in spring 2025.

Established and co-chaired by Norway and USEUCOM since 2010, the ASFR is a flag-and-general-officer level, military-to-military forum designed to promote regional understanding and enhance multilateral security cooperation in the High North. The ASFR is the longest running military forum focused on the Arctic’s uniquely challenging security dynamics as well as the full range of military capabilities and cooperation required to protect the strategically important region.