In connection with the launch of the strategy, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard visited the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat in Luleå for talks about Swedish polar research, research infrastructure and the future of the Arctic.

The new strategy comes at a time when the Arctic is gaining increasing importance due to climate change, geopolitical developments and Sweden's membership in NATO.

Research for knowledge, cooperation and influence

The government's 10-point plan emphasises that Sweden should promote and utilise strategic resources that strengthen the country's position and security policy role in the Arctic. Polar research is singled out as one such resource.

Polar research contributes to knowledge about climate, the environment and societal development in the polar regions. At the same time, the new strategy emphasises the importance of research for Sweden's international cooperation and opportunities to be an active and credible actor in the Arctic.

– The strategy shows that polar research is not just about understanding the changes in the Arctic. It is also about Sweden's ability to be a relevant and credible actor in the region and to contribute knowledge to international cooperation, says Katarina Gårdfeldt, Director of the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat.

The strategy also highlights the importance of research infrastructure, international research cooperation and long-term investments in Swedish polar research.

Oden and the research infrastructure of the future

The strategy highlights the Swedish icebreaker Oden as an important asset for Sweden's presence in the Arctic and describes it as a unique global resource and one of the world's leading infrastructures for research in the polar oceans.

At the same time, the government emphasises that Sweden's leading position in polar research and its independent access to the Arctic need to be secured in the long term. Research icebreaker capacity is also linked to Sweden's security policy interests, NATO membership and the ability to support critical infrastructure in the Arctic.

– Oden has given Sweden a unique ability to conduct research in the polar regions, but the ship has also been an important resource for the international research community. The new strategy underlines the value of securing that type of capacity in the long term, says Katarina Gårdfeldt.

About the new Arctic Strategy

The new strategy replaces Sweden's Arctic Strategy from 2020 and will guide the government's work on Arctic issues in the coming years.

Some key parts of the strategy:

• Polar research is identified as a strategic resource for Sweden.
• The importance of research is more closely linked to Sweden's international influence and presence in the Arctic.
• The strategy highlights a national polar research agenda, a national polar research programme and a national polar research school.
• Oden is described as a unique global resource and one of the world's leading infrastructures for research in the polar oceans.
• Research icebreaker capacity is also linked to Sweden's need for a presence in the Arctic and the ability to support critical underwater infrastructure.
• The strategy confirms the need to secure Sweden's long-term research icebreaker capacity.