Arctic
VISION 52: Reuniting the Arctic for Peace and Conservation
Our vision: The eight Arctic countries are once again cooperating through the Arctic Council and contributing to the further development of a Circumpolar Protected Area Network.
At the end of the Cold War, Mikhail Gorbachev introduced a vision of the Arctic as a region of peace and environmental cooperation. This vision led to the establishment of the Arctic Council in the 1990s. I had the privilege of witnessing this inspiring time as the coordinator of the WWF Arctic Programme. Through Arctic Bulletin (now The Circle), I reported on the growing environmental cooperation and actively contributed to the creation of large protected areas in the Russian Arctic, including the Great Arctic Reserve on Taimyr.
After decades of division, fostering a circumpolar, pan-Arctic perspective became an essential part of my work. We frequently rotated the “Arctic Globe” (now a key element of the VISION 52 logo) to emphasize the interconnectedness of this unique region.
The cooperation among the Arctic nations was not only productive but had a global impact:
- The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment influenced international climate agreements.
- The AMAP report on Arctic pollution led to the Stockholm Convention, which globally banned the production and distribution of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
- The Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) working group provided critical insights into the importance of protecting Arctic biodiversity and its pristine wilderness.
- The Arctic Council also served as a diplomatic arena where foreign ministers could build trust and engage in open dialogue, free from the geopolitical tensions that affected other regions.
Tragically, this era of cooperation came to an abrupt halt with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, once again splitting the Arctic in two. It remains uncertain when this division can be reversed.
My specific focus remains on the further development of the Circumpolar Protected Area Network—a crucial step towards restoring the Arctic as a place of cooperation, peace, and conservation.
However, I choose not to give up counting on positive surprises. I hold on to this vision and will use this platform to share any signs of progress towards renewed collaboration.
