Key Treaties Governing the Arctic: A Guide to Agreements Shaping the Future of the Polar Region

There is no single Arctic treaty, but there are several international agreements and treaties that govern the Arctic region:

• The High Seas Treaty: This treaty will help Arctic states address the challenges of increased fishing, shipping, and industrial development in the Arctic Ocean. 
• The Svalbard Treaty: This 1920 treaty established Norway’s sovereignty over Svalbard. 
• The Arctic Cooperation Agreement: This 1988 agreement between the United States and Canada regulates cooperation on the Northwest Passage. 
• The Arctic Search and Rescue Agreement: This 2011 agreement coordinates search and rescue in the Arctic. 
• The Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears: This 1973 agreement protects polar bears.
• The ILO C169 Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention: This 1989 agreement protects indigenous and tribal peoples. 
• The (UN) Convention on Biological Diversity: This 1992 agreement protects biological diversity.
• The Arctic Council: This high-level forum promotes cooperation among Arctic states. It has negotiated three legally binding agreements.

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