Arctic Circle Rome Forum, Italy and the future of the poles

The Arctic, in particular, is undergoing an accelerated transformation, with warming occurring at double the rate of the global average and record sea ice reduction in 2025. This trend, if uninterrupted, could lead to ice-free summers within a few decades, influencing currents and ecosystems on a planetary scale. In this context, Italy presented the new national strategic document on the Arcticaimed at consolidating the country’s role as a recognized partner in the family of Arctic peoples. Italian scientific research, active for fifty years with bases of excellence such as the “Dirigibile Italia” station in Svalbard managed by the CNR, presents itself as the natural link between a responsible foreign policy and the protection of environmental balances. As highlighted during the plenaries, the Arctic is now “at the center of the geopolitical chessboard” and requires shared responsibility to preserve stability and respect for international law.

The conclusion of the work reiterated theimportance of investing in shared infrastructures and resilient technologies to anticipate the risks linked to the transformations of the planet. The interdisciplinary approach, which unites the academic world with the productive and institutional one, is considered the most effective tool for transforming the fragility of polar ecosystems into an opportunity for sustainable development and protection for future generations. The results of the Forum, also discussed at the end at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, confirm the need for constant and global commitment: studying the Arctic means looking directly at the future of the Earth’s climate and collective security. The Italian mission therefore continues alongside the Government to ensure that science continues to provide the most innovative solutions to address the climate crisis and global geopolitical tensions, operating through the Arctic Circle network, the largest cooperation platform dedicated to these regions.

Cover image: Cnr President Andrea Lenzi with Eivind Vad Petersson, Secretary of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway