The Arctic: a shared priority

The Arctic region is a shared high priority for the Nordic countries. It is a region of growing strategic importance, not least from a climate change and maritime perspective.

With melting ice and other trends increasingly impacting upon Ireland, we have been working to define the contribution we can make and developing our relationship with bodies such as the Arctic Council.

Together with the Marine Institute, the Department of Foreign Affairs, working with the Embassy of Ireland in Oslo, launched the Network of Arctic Researchers in Ireland (NARI) in early 2020.

NARI aims to create, maintain and develop an informal all-island network of Arctic researchers in Ireland to facilitate collaboration of scientific activities linked to the Arctic, and to provide independent scientific advice to the public and policy makers.

Pictured on this page is the RV Celtic Explorer's journey to the Arctic in 2020. This is the first Irish vessel to receive the Polar Code certification, allowing it to operate in the Arctic region and greatly increasing its ocean research capabilities.