{"id":188805,"date":"2026-05-19T13:28:50","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T11:28:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/sala_stampa\/archivionotizie\/\/2026\/05\/dal-mediterraneo-al-grande-nord-la-proiezione-strategica-dellitalia-nel-nuovo-scacchiere-artico\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T11:15:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T09:15:26","slug":"dal-mediterraneo-al-grande-nord-la-proiezione-strategica-dellitalia-nel-nuovo-scacchiere-artico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/sala_stampa\/archivionotizie\/diplomazia-economica\/2026\/05\/dal-mediterraneo-al-grande-nord-la-proiezione-strategica-dellitalia-nel-nuovo-scacchiere-artico\/","title":{"rendered":"From the Mediterranean to the High North, Italy’s strategic projection into the new Arctic arena"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Arctic is no longer a remote frontier as in the imagination of explorers of the last century, but a strategic frontier of global challenges that directly involve the Mediterranean. With the paper “Italian Arctic Policy. Italy and the Arctic: the Values of Cooperation in a Fast Changing Region,” presented on January 16, 2026, in the wake of the creation of the Scientific Committee for the Arctic and the Arctic Roundtable (which brings together Ministries, companies, and organizations interested in the region), Italy has defined a clear strategy. The document recognizes that the changes underway in the region have direct effects on climate, security, and the national economy<\/strong>. It is therefore not an issue of geographical distance, but of interconnection: Italy aims to strengthen its role in the High North through scientific diplomacy, the protection of stability, and technological development<\/strong>, also drawing on a traditional focus on this region, dating back to the era of the great explorers.<\/p>\n

The New Security Scenario<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For decades the Arctic was perceived as a relatively stable region free of major tensions. Today this balance has cracked. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has marked a deep rift, with increasing militarization of the region and the temporary suspension (2022-2023) of the political activities of the Arctic Council, a forum established to promote cooperation, coordination, and interaction<\/strong> between Arctic countries, indigenous communities, and other peoples of the region. Italy, despite being a Mediterranean country, is also closely monitoring these dynamics: the strengthening of the Russia-China axis and the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO are redefining the traditional balance of power in the region, with potential repercussions for the entire Europe.<\/p>\n

Arctic security is now tied to Euro-Atlantic stability. Italy does not plan to develop an autonomous military presence, but intends to contribute to multilateral defence and crisis prevention initiatives<\/strong> within NATO and the EU. Within this framework, the goal is to protect critical infrastructure, including undersea and space infrastructure, and maintain freedom of navigation in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in a context of growing competition between powers. These activities require the integration of maritime, air, and cyber capabilities. The Italian Defence Ministry\u2019s commitment to the Arctic and sub-Arctic region therefore responds to a dual need: on the one hand, contributing to collective security, on the other, developing operational capabilities in extreme environments and supporting national civilian and scientific activities. To this end, the Joint Chiefs of Staff has established a Joint Steering Committee on the Arctic, Sub-Arctic, and Antarctica<\/strong>, which includes Army, Navy, and Air Force, and is responsible for coordinating initiatives across the various operational domains.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Science as a compass for change<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Scientific research is the traditional and operational cornerstone of Italy’s presence in the Arctic, a tool of “science for diplomacy,” which contributed to the achievement of Observer status in the Arctic Council <\/strong>in 2013. The Italian activity focuses on understanding climate change in a region where warming is occurring three to four times faster than the global average<\/strong> (a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification).<\/p>\n

The main operational point of reference is the “Dirigibile Italia<\/em>” research station<\/strong> in Ny-\u00c5lesund, Svalbard, managed by the National Research Council (CNR) since 1997. This station is supported by the THAAO Atmospheric Observatory<\/strong> in Greenland, active since 1990. National research is coordinated by the Arctic Research Program (PRA), which involves the main Italian scientific institutions – CNR, ENEA, INGV, and OGS – along with the Italian Navy, through the Hydrographic Institute, and the “High North” programme.<\/p>\n

Research activities follow the main international guidelines: observe, understand, respond, and strengthen. Particular attention is paid to climate teleconnections, i.e., the impact of Arctic changes on the Mediterranean climate, and to data management through the Italian Arctic Data Centre (IADC),<\/strong> in accordance with the FAIR principles of accessibility and sharing. Italy also participates in the Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM), promoting the training of new generations of polar scientists and collaboration with indigenous populations to integrate traditional knowledge into scientific models.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Blue Economy and the Technology Challenge<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Italy approaches the blue economy in the Arctic through a development model that combines industrial excellence and the protection of a highly fragile ecosystem<\/strong>. The Arctic is not only a new commercial frontier, but also a laboratory for sustainable innovation. The national contribution is structured across several high-tech sectors<\/strong>, coordinated to meet the challenges posed by global warming and the region’s growing accessibility.<\/p>\n

Italian leadership is evident first and foremost in specialized shipbuilding<\/strong>. Fincantieri<\/em>, through its Norwegian subsidiary Vard, is a global leader in the design of ice-class ships. These vessels are not just means of transport, but also complex technological platforms, equipped with hybrid propulsion systems and solutions to reduce noise and emissions, in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Polar Code. An example of excellence is the research icebreaker “Laura Bassi,”<\/strong> the only Italian vessel certified for polar navigation, essential for the study of marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and navigation safety.<\/p>\n

The energy sector is seeing a radical transformation of the Italian presence. While traditionally interest focused on oil and gas – with ENI engaged in the Goliat field in compliance with rigorous environmental standards – the focus has now shifted toward decarbonization and renewables<\/strong>. Italy is making its expertise available in geothermal energy: the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024 with Iceland aims to export Enel Green Power’s expertise and know-how for the development of low-emission energy systems<\/strong>. Furthermore, the potential of green hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies is being explored, which is crucial for making human activities in the High North compatible with global climate goals.<\/p>\n

An area of exponential growth is the underwater dimension. Italian companies, such as Saipem and the La Spezia diving centre, are at the forefront of marine robotics and sensors for monitoring underwater infrastructure<\/strong>. In an Arctic crisscrossed by the laying of new fibre optic cables to connect Europe, Asia, and the Americas, Italy is contributing technologies to protect these “exposed nerves” of globalization and to monitor the seabed, which is essential for preventing environmental disasters.<\/p>\n

Finally, Italy’s contribution extends to space. Thanks to the Cosmo-SkyMed constellation and the expertise of e-Geos (ASI\/Telespazio<\/em>), Italy provides high-precision radar data<\/strong> for monitoring ice and maritime routes. This service is vital for navigation safety (Search and Rescue \u2013 SAR) and for oil pollution surveillance. Leonardo<\/em> plays a key role in emergency management through projects like ARCSAR, which combine civil protection and technological innovation to ensure that the opening of new Arctic routes does not result in an unacceptable risk to the environment and human life.<\/p>\n

Italy’s strategy is based on dialogue and active multilateralism<\/strong>, aimed at preventing potential escalations. In this context, participation in the Arctic Council and in major international forums reaffirms Italy’s position in the region’s governance. The decision to host the Arctic Circle Forum – Polar Dialogue in Rome in 2026, at the National Research Council (CNR), reaffirms the role of Italian science diplomacy<\/strong>, aimed at strengthening international dialogue and engaging the public and younger generations.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Arctic Circle Forum, Focus on the Third Pole<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Italy’s more than thirty years of experience in the so-called Third Pole, the Hindu Kush\u2013Karakoram\u2013Himalaya mountain system, was the focus of the Arctic Circle Forum, hosted on March 3 and 4 at the National Research Council (CNR) in Rome. The two sessions, organized by the EvK2CNR Association, the CNR, and international partners, highlighted the strategic value of Italy’s presence in Central Asia<\/strong>, emphasizing how science can become a tool for dialogue and stability in a region crucial to global climate and water security<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The first session, dedicated to science diplomacy, highlighted the collaboration with Pakistan<\/strong>, considered a model of long-term climate cooperation, also thanks to the participation of Italian and Pakistani institutional representatives. With over 13,000 glaciers, Pakistan is one of the world’s largest freshwater reservoirs outside the polar regions. In this context, EvK2CNR has promoted significant projects, including the first complete inventory of the country’s glaciers, the Spantik laboratory, scheduled for 2025 on the Chogo Lungma glacier, and the “Water for Development” programme, which integrates research and concrete interventions for climate resilience. Alongside research, local training programs and sustainable development initiatives have been launched, also contributing to the protection of K2 and its ecosystem.<\/p>\n

The second session focused on the Pyramid Laboratory-Observatory<\/strong>, a scientific facility located at 5,050 meters in Sagarmatha National Park, at the foot of Mount Everest. Active since 1990, the centre is an international platform for the study of climate change at high altitude and hosts the Nepal Climate Observatory, part of the global network of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).<\/p>\n

From climatology to glaciology up to high-altitude medicine<\/strong>, the Pyramid reaffirms its position as an advanced sentinel of global climate. Italy’s presence in the forum demonstrates how scientific research can turn into cooperation, development, and security, strengthening Italy’s role in the study and protection of the world’s major environmental balances.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Arctic is no longer a remote frontier as in the imagination of explorers of the last century, but a strategic frontier of global challenges that directly involve the Mediterranean. With the paper “Italian Arctic Policy. Italy and the Arctic: the Values of Cooperation in a Fast Changing Region,” presented on January 16, 2026, in […]","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":187340,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[417],"tags":[3,9],"class_list":["post-188805","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diplomazia-economica","tag-diplomazia-economica","tag-europa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188805","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=188805"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188805\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":188809,"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188805\/revisions\/188809"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/187340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=188805"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=188805"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=188805"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}