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Some northern coastal countries, including Canada, the United States, are currently continuing to map the Arctic seabed, hoping to intensify their efforts to expand their sovereignty claims to the Arctic coastal areas in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Countries that expand their Arctic sovereignty claims in accordance with international treaties will be able to enter vast marine areas that may be rich in oil and gas resources.
The data obtained through cartographic work shows that the continental shelf of Greenland is connected to the ridges under the Arctic Ocean, which gives Denmark the right to claim the potential energy sources in and below the Arctic.
By submitting documents to the United Nations, Denmark claims ownership of approximately 900,000 square kilometers of the continental shelf of the Arctic Ocean.
Denmark recognizes that Norway’s continental shelf of more than 200 nautical miles overlaps with Denmark’s claims. This may also coincide with the claims made by Canada and the United States.
There are many scientific and legal methods for determining the boundaries of the continental shelf. They differ in the interpretation methods of applicable legal norms and generally recognized or unique research techniques.
For example, Canada wants to move its border directly to 141st meridian to north, while the United States indicates that the boundary should be drawn at an angle of 90 degrees from the coastline.
It is no coincidence that it takes years and decades for a United Nations committee to determine whether a country’s claim is reasonable.
The United States, Norway, Canada and Denmark have their own territories in the Arctic, but only Canada was most obviously interested before Denmark claimed it.
Denmark’s current claim for the area north of Greenland is already the fifth: part of the application north of the Faroe Islands was submitted in April 2009; another application south of the Faroe Islands was submitted in December 2010. The third partial application was submitted to the southern Greenland region in June 2012, and the other application was submitted to the Northeast Greenland region in November 2013.
The claims of Greenland/Denmark and Canada are consistent in many ways. Several countries claim the same part of the continental shelf at the same time. However, the UN Committee has not yet processed the applications of Greenland/Denmark and Canada. This will happen no earlier than 2032 in connection with the Greenland-Denmark claim. Canada will have to wait longer.
In this case, it seems expedient for Canada to join forces with other countries to scientifically prove the advantages of its allotments in response to Denmark’s claim. Given that Denmark will host the Arctic Council in 2025, this cooperation should now be strengthened.
In addition, Rob Hubert, a professor at the Center for Military, Security and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary, said it is necessary to cooperate with a country that is a member of UNCLOS. Another approach, such as cooperation with the United States, which is not a party to the Convention, may greatly weaken Canada’s position.
From 2006 to 2015, a key policy of the government of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was to assert sovereignty over the vast Arctic and surrounding waters. This policy is still being implemented.
Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said: “The Arctic is the basis of Canada’s national identity and will play a role in Canada’s future prosperity.” Canada remains committed to working closely with other Arctic countries to promote and protect its northern interests and cooperate within the broader vision of the region.”
Countries that expand their Arctic claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea will have access to vast seas that may be rich in oil and natural gas resources. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 30% of the world’s proven natural gas reserves and 15% of oil reserves are concentrated in this area.
Denmark, together with Canada, Norway and the United States, is seeking to control as much Arctic territory as possible. In practice this kind of control is most reliable in major international events that are completely or partially dedicated to the Arctic. Their participants are generally prone for profitable partnership. The exchange of opinions on such events will only benefit the new and existing deals.
It’s crucial for nations involved in the Arctic claims to engage in transparent dialogue and collaboration. Establishing clear guidelines on resource sharing can prevent potential conflicts over oil and gas reserves.
To effectively address the challenges posed by competing Arctic claims, stakeholders should explore multilateral treaties that promote equitable access to resources while safeguarding the fragile ecosystem.
Your discussion on the competing interests of Arctic nations in claiming continental shelf resources was very informative. It would be interesting to delve deeper into how international cooperation could help resolve these disputes and promote sustainable resource management.
While expanding sovereignty claims is a valid pursuit, I advise policymakers to balance national interests with global responsibilities, ensuring that all actions taken in the Arctic are in line with international law and environmental stewardship.