Germany and the Arctic

Karte Arktis Enlarge image (© Winfried K. Dallmann Norsk Polarinstitut) Germany has long standing interests and capacities in the Arctic and Antarctic regions that date back to the mid 1800s. These reach from widespread scientific research, coordinated since 1980 at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) in Bremerhaven, via Germany's long-time engagement as a Permanent Observer at the Arctic Council to its role as one of the major shipping nations of the world and its interests as a highly industrialized nation that relies on importing commodities for the manufacuturing industries. As one of the larger member states of the European Union, Germany is also strongly involved in the ongoing development of a European Union policy for the Arctic. In all its endeavours, Germany puts a stong emphasis on ecologically sustainable solutions that take into consideration the rights and interests of indigenous populations in the North.

European Union and the Arctic

Among the EU's 27 member states, there are three Arctic states (Finland, Sweden and Denmark (via Greenland). The number of EU citizens living north of the Arctic Circle by far outnumber the population in the Canadian North. The EU, therefore, is not an outsider but partly Arctic itself. With Iceland currently negotiating to join the EU, the Nordic influence and perspective will be strengthened even further.

European Union and the Arctic

Historical aspects of German polar engagement

Since the mid-1800s a number of famous German Polar Researchers have strongly contributed to scientific discoveries in and around the polar regions. While Carl Koldewey led the first German expeditions to the High North in 1868 and 1870, Georg von Neumayer was advocating Antarctic research and - as president of the International Polar Commission - one of the founding fathers of the first International Polar Year (IPY).

Historical aspects of German polar engagement

Economical and ecological interests

Germany has multiple economical and ecological interests in the Arctic. Being one of the largest shipping nations worldwide, the prospects of new sea routes from Europe to Asia are particularly interesting. In summer 2009 two German merchant ships were the first non-Russian commercial vessels to sail the Northern Sea Route (via Russia) in one season.

Economical and ecological interests