Position Paper

Committee - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Italy recognises the utmost importance of the settlement of Arctic sovereignty disputes in
accordance with established legal principles, namely the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We are also strongly committed to the terms of the 2008 Ilulissat
Declaration, which committed Arctic coastal states to the pursuit of the peaceful settlement of
conflicting continental shelf claims by negotiation and recognised legal processes.
Italy warrants its concern regarding Russia's increasingly aggressive claims, especially the 2007
flag-planting at the North Pole and Moscow's expansive definition of the Northern Sea
Route as internal waters. These moves undermine the international rules-based order to which
Italy has always remained committed during its entire time in NATO membership. The Italian
delegation points out that any territorial arrangements regarding the Arctic should respect
current international law and avoid creating precedents that would destabilise other areas.

Italy's assessment of Arctic military trends reveals an alarming disparity between Russian
capability and NATO preparedness. Russia's recent opening of over 50 new Arctic military
bases, along with its impressive icebreaker fleet and nuclear-powered vessels, is a
qualitative shift in the regional balance of power. This militarisation faces NATO's northern
flank head-on and demands an Alliance response.
The Italian position advocates for the establishment of an official NATO Arctic command
organisation, and it is based on developing existing capacities rather than establishing new
institutions. Italy's experience with the Joint Force Command in Naples, which is NATO's
Hub of the South, offers valuable institutional knowledge that can be used for the establishment
of comparable coordination structures for the High North. The Italian delegation suggests that
any Arctic command organisation should neatly fit into the existing NATO structures, so as to
increase its effectiveness.

Our winter exercises, such as Operation White Fox, which involved 1,300 troops including
alpine and cyber warfare specialists, are an excellent demonstration of how non-Arctic NATO
allies can make significant contributions to Alliance readiness in extreme environments. Italy's
military capability in mountain warfare and operating in extreme conditions is an asset that
complements the specialist Arctic forces of northern allies. Italy thus urges NATO members to
look beyond purely Arctic states for assistance, as these operations clearly show that other
non-Arctic states can also provide crucial assistance with very little specialised training,
making it extremely viable and valuable in times of crisis.
The Italian position firmly counters Russian overreaching claims in the Northern Sea Route,
insofar as Moscow requires foreign ships to request permission and escorts as a breach of
the principles enshrined in UNCLOS. Italian support for NATO freedom of navigation
operations (FONOPs) in the Arctic aligns with its broader commitment to countering illegitimate
maritime claims wheresoever they be made. The Italian delegation emphasises that precedents
established in the Arctic will inevitably have broader implications in maritime disputes
elsewhere and make principled resistance to overreaching claims a matter of immediate
global strategic concern.

Italy's Arctic engagement directly contributes to the country's overall energy security strategy.
The present trend away from Russian energy dependence, previously accounting for
approximately 40% of Italian gas imports, necessitates new supply relationships and
supply route diversification. Norwegian and potential Greenlandic production in the Arctic
resources offer the capability to enhance European energy independence while reducing reliance
on geopolitically unstable regions.

Italy's polar scientific presence, represented by the Dirigibile Italia research station in
Ny-Ålesund, is a genuine expression of interest in polar processes and their broader
consequences. Italian National Research Council (CNR) polar research programs offer the
necessary knowledge about climate change, ecosystem processes, and environmental monitoring,
influencing in turn both scientific understanding and policy.
The Italian delegation emphasises the need for maintaining robust scientific collaboration, even
during geopolitical tensions. Italian activities in the Arctic are impartial platforms for
international cooperation, which can build trust and maintain communication channels
during political tensions. Our country's experience in satellite technology, telecommunications,
and Earth observation systems provides the necessary capabilities for monitoring and navigation
systems in the Arctic.

The Italian delegation believes in the representation of representatives of all the member
states of NATO in this coordination centre, thus ensuring that a range of views and
capabilities shape Arctic planning. Italy offers to provide staff and expertise to this centre,
drawing on its experience with the Naples Hub for the South as a model for regional
coordination for NATO structures.
Italy suggests a NATO Partnership for Training in the Arctic that would enable non-Arctic
members to build cold-weather specialisation while enabling the Arctic states to benefit
from specialist knowledge in mountain warfare, extreme environment operations, and
technological knowledge. Italy is ready to present its Alpine training facilities and mountain
warfare knowledge as a contribution to such a partnership.
The Italian delegation supports more investment by NATO in dual-use technologies that
can address both Arctic and other areas' necessities. Satellite communications, navigation
systems, and environmental monitoring systems, among others, intended to operate in the Arctic,
have global applications for NATO operations, thus making such investment strategically
valuable.
The Italian strategy is favourable to engagement with responsible Arctic stakeholders,
including Indigenous peoples, environmental groups, and legitimate business interests.
Thus, the Italian delegation suggests improved coordination of NATO policy for the Arctic with
Arctic Council activities in order to prevent duplicating efforts and to offer compatible Western
reactions to regional issues.

CONCLUSION

The Italian delegation thus vows to engage constructively with all Alliance partners to establish
Arctic policies that will safeguard shared security interests without violating international law,
environmental obligations, and the legitimate interests of Arctic communities. Italy's approach is
one of functional cooperation, technological innovation, and institutional adjustment instead of
revolutionary remoulding of current arrangements. The Italian Republic stands ready to
contribute people, capabilities, and resources to NATO Arctic operations.
By conscious participation, technological input, and diplomatic stewardship, Italy seeks to help
NATO develop Arctic policies that deter aggression, protect the interests of the Alliance, and
maintain regional stability as well as offer opportunities for sound development and global
cooperation. The Italian position is founded on a conviction that NATO collective might, when
well-coordinated and strategically deployed, can effectively counter Arctic challenges as well as
further the overall interests of the Alliance.
Successful Arctic policy is seen by Italy as core to the overall success of the Alliance and
European security in the era of great power competition and climate change.