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Observer
6 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Arctic ownership and sustainability issues
The Arctic is the northernmost region of the Earth, centered at the North Pole. It is a vast polar region at the top of the world. Unlike many individual geographical regions, it is not a country or a continent but an extensive area of the Arctic Ocean and the northernmost part of several continents, such as North America, Europe, and Asia (specifically Russia). The Arctic is divided among countries like Canada, Denmark through Greenland, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the USA through Alaska. All these countries have coastlines in the Arctic Ocean. They can claim an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending up to 200 nautical miles from their shores according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos). The ongoing conflict goes beyond these 200 nautical miles and is entangled in aspects of the seabed and resources beneath the Arctic Ocean. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean, which is surrounded by land and is approximately 14.5 million square kilometers. The region has a vast tundra, permafrost, glaciers, sea ice, and a unique ecosystem. The Arctic region holds both reserves of promise and peril. It is estimated that 13% of undiscovered oil, 30% of the earth's undiscovered gas, and minerals like zinc and nickel offer an opportunity for resource exploitation despite the Paris Agreement of the 1.5 °C goal. The ownership struggle for the Arctic is multi-layered and complicated, with national security issues, resource rights, and geopolitical influence. Russia has invested heavily in Arctic militarisation. Meanwhile, Norway has approved the development of 19 new oil and gas fields, investing over $18.5 billion to extend fossil fuel production despite its public climate commitments. The Arctic region is shared and contested, with no single owner, but a deep tapestry of national jurisdiction and unresolved international claims. This escalating claim and dispute among nations for the ownership of the Arctic is critical because unprecedented climate change, geopolitical competition, and unregulated commercialisation pose an alarming threat to global ecosystem stability and cast a shadow of uncertainty on the existence of indigenous communities. The Arctic is warming up two to four times faster than the worldwide average. This is causing an unprecedented ice melt. The Arctic region acts as the Earth's refrigerator. It helps by cooling the planet and reflecting sunlight with ice and snow. Rapid warming of the Arctic region could disrupt the polar vortex, the key atmospheric system, creating extreme weather changes worldwide. Permafrost thawing can release more carbon, damage infrastructure, and destabilise the landscape. Most of these environmental changes are irreversible within the human time scale, making it urgent. Increasing shipping, oil and gas extraction, and mining could exacerbate the situation. Suppose the commercialisation of the Arctic is not stopped. It could result in environmental degradation, which will lead to an ecological debacle with catastrophic ramifications, such as the risk of irreversible oil spills, noise pollution, release of toxins, an increase in sea level, extreme weather, and destabilisation of global weather patterns. This could disrupt the livelihood of local indigenous communities. It could also lead to food insecurity and fear of encroachment in their habitat. The Arctic region remains fluid and fragile, with unresolved political and legal issues further exacerbated by climate change. More awareness must be created about protecting the Arctic, as it plays a key role in global climate stability—the Arctic's fragile ecosystem demands urgent collective action to prevent its commercialisation and militarisation. We should not allow short-term profits to take precedence over immediate health and ecological safety as a society. It is our responsibility to preserve this region for the sustainability of future generations. Dr Mythili Kolluru The writer is an assistant professor at the marketing and management department of the College of Banking and Financial Studies in Muscat.
Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
S'pore seeks to play constructive role in global efforts on ocean-related issues: Vivian
Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan delivering Singapore's national statement at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, on June 10. PHOTO: MFA NICE, France – Singapore is a small island state, and the oceans and seas are 'inextricably tied' to the nation's survival and well-being, said Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan on June 13. 'That is why we have always sought to play a constructive role in global efforts on oceans-related issues,' he said in an e-mailed statement to The Straits Times on the final day of the United Nations Ocean Conference. The event in Port Lympia in Nice, France, is held from June 9 to 13. 'The oceans enable maritime trade, food and energy security, and support livelihoods,' said Dr Balakrishnan. 'These are vital to Singapore as a country with trade about three times our GDP and one which depends on imports for our energy and food resources.' Maritime transport moves more than 80 per cent of goods traded worldwide. Other than being a source of seafood and recreation, the ocean also generates 50 per cent of the oxygen people need, absorbs 25 per cent of all carbon dioxide emissions, and captures 90 per cent of the excess heat generated by these emissions. As a small low-lying island with no buffer, Singapore is also highly vulnerable to the impact of climate change on the oceans such as sea-level rise, coastal degradation or marine pollution, he added. The minister said Singapore has been participating actively at the UN Ocean Conferences. Singapore served as one of the vice-presidents of the conference. Dr Balakrishnan had also chaired a plenary session at the event. This year's summit, which gathers representatives from 193 countries, is in its third iteration . Its aim is for countries to adopt an 'action-oriented and inter-governmentally agreed declaration', dubbed the Nice Ocean Action Plan, according to the United Nations. Various issues were discussed at the conference and its side events, including how to better finance marine conservation, such as through new financing instruments like coral reef bonds, and the importance of developing countries being given assistance to build capabilities to study their marine environments. Previous editions of the UN Ocean Conferences were held in 2017 and 2022. Korea will host the fourth one in 2028. Dr Balakrishnan said the summit is an important platform where countries mobilise action for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources. 'This includes reaffirming the international community's commitment to uphold the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos),' he said. Unclos sets out the legal framework for all activities carried out in the oceans and seas. In 2023, Singapore helped to broker an agreement under Unclos on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity outside national jurisdictions. Among other things, the treaty paves the way for marine protected areas to be established in waters outside national jurisdictions, which cover over two-thirds of the ocean. The High Seas Treaty, officially called the Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, will enter into force after 60 countries ratify it. Singapore ratified the agreement in September 2024 – one of 51 countries to have done so, so far. Dr Balakrishnan said the summit helps to advance collective efforts to protect the oceans, including getting more countries to ratify the BBNJ Agreement. ST checks showed that almost 20 countries, including Indonesia and Vietnam, had ratified the agreement over the course of the conference. Countries are also urged to make voluntary commitments on ways to ensure the health and resilience of the ocean during the summit. In his delivery of Singapore's national statement, Dr Balakrishnan had said Singapore would be renewing 15 of the past voluntary commitments it made to support ocean health, and undertaking 12 new ones. New commitments include efforts to restore coral reefs and seagrass meadows in the Republic. Dr Balakrishnan also said that as the protection of our global commons in the oceans requires collective efforts, Singapore is also committed to providing capacity building assistance to developing countries. Under the Singapore Cooperation Programme's Sustainability Action Package, Singapore has conducted over 60 courses for more than 1,600 officials covering issues from rising sea levels to the law of the sea. Audrey Tan is an assistant news editor overseeing sustainability coverage. She has reported on the environment for more than a decade and hosts the Green Pulse podcast series. Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
S'pore researchers to go on deep sea expedition with non-profit OceanX in October: Vivian
The expedition will bring together scientists from the region, especially other small island developing states. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN S'pore researchers to go on deep sea expedition with non-profit OceanX in October: Vivian – Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) are planning to embark on a deep sea biodiversity expedition to the high seas in the eastern Indian Ocean in October 2025, said Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan on June 10. The expedition, in collaboration with US-headquartered non-profit OceanX, will also bring together scientists from the region, especially other small island developing states, Dr Balakrishnan said as he delivered Singapore's national statement at the UN Ocean Conference taking place in Nice, France. 'This will give (researchers) an opportunity to document and to survey deep sea biological material,' he said, adding that the findings will help to deepen understanding of the oceans. The Indian Ocean is the body of water between South-east Asia and the African continent. The high seas, which make up about two-thirds of the ocean, refer to ocean areas outside national jurisdictions. Dr Balakrishnan on June 9 said, on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (Aosis), that it was important for small island developing states to lead, and not just participate in, ocean-related scientific expeditions. Aosis is a grouping of 39 small-island and low-lying coastal developing states including Singapore, Palau, the Maldives and Belize. Mr Mark Dalio, founder and co-chief executive of OceanX, told The Straits Times that its partnership with NUS 'reflects OceanX's ongoing commitment to advance ocean science in South-east Asia'. 'This mission will generate vital data on deep-sea biodiversity and ecosystem health, strengthen the region's scientific knowledge base, and support informed decision-making for ocean stewardship,' he said. 'We're proud to enable this next chapter of exploration into one of the region's least studied environments.' Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore believes the expedition will contribute to the shared global goals of advancing ocean science education and capacity building. In his address to the summit, which brings together 193 UN member states, the minister said the ocean is under severe threat from rising temperatures, acidification, overfishing and plastic pollution. 'As a low-lying coastal city state, Singapore is at risk due to rising sea levels, coastal erosion and the risk of flooding,' he added. These challenges demand a multilateral solution – one that is underpinned by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), said Dr Balakrishnan. Unclos sets out the legal framework for all activities carried out in the oceans and seas. In 2023, Singapore helped to broker an agreement under Unclos on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity outside national jurisdictions. The High Seas Treaty, officially called the Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, will enter into force after 60 countries ratify it. French President Emmanuel Macron said on June 9 that 55 countries have done so. Singapore ratified the agreement in September 2024. Dr Balakrishnan said it was crucial for this treaty to enter into force if the ocean and marine resources are to be conserved and sustainably used, and urged other countries to ratify the agreement. He also said that Singapore would be renewing 15 of the past voluntary commitments it made to support ocean health, and undertaking 12 new ones. Past commitments include environmental research programmes such as the Marine Climate Change Science programme and efforts to promote green financing in the maritime industry. It also conducted ocean-related courses for fellow developing countries, such as on how coastal biodiversity can be managed under urban pressures. On the new commitments, Dr Balakrishnan pointed to Singapore's first seagrass restoration project, launched in September 2024, saying these ecosystems will contribute to global climate efforts given that these habitats are the 'lungs of the sea'. He also cited the 100k Corals Initiative, which was launched in December 2024 with the aim of planting 100,000 corals in Singapore's waters in the next decade and beyond. 'We believe this effort will support marine biodiversity and protect us from coral erosion in the seas around Singapore,' he added. Singapore will also continue to provide capacity building assistance to developing countries to address ocean-related challenges, Dr Balakrishnan said. The Republic has conducted over 60 courses for more than 1,600 foreign officials under the Singapore Cooperation Programme Sustainability Action Package. 'Over the next year, we will conduct more of such courses on the state of blue carbon science, policy, finance and achieving high quality outcomes,' he said. Dr Balakrishnan added: 'Singapore commits to working with all our partners to restore the health and to enhance the resilience of our oceans. The choices we make today will define the legacy we leave behind for our future generations.' Audrey Tan is an assistant news editor overseeing sustainability coverage. She has reported on the environment for more than a decade and hosts the Green Pulse podcast series. Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Philippines defence chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr calls out China's ‘propaganda spiel' at Shangri-La Dialogue
SINGAPORE - A 'deficit of trust' stands in the way of Beijing's ability to resolve disputes such as overlapping claims in the South China Sea, said Philippines defence chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr on June 1. Speaking on June 1 at a plenary session during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Mr Teodoro also hit back at questions from Chinese delegates after one official compared the Philippines' handling of the waterway dispute with China, with the approaches taken by Malaysia and Vietnam, asking why Manila could not 'do the same' and 'effectively manage' these differences. The same official also asked if Manila's intention was to 'act as a proxy for external powers'. Among the claimants of the contested waterway, Manila, which has a mutual defence treaty with Washington, has been one of the most vocal in speaking out against Beijing's moves to assert its sovereignty in the South China Sea, with tense confrontations breaking out in recent times between the two countries' vessels and coast guards. This is in contrast to fellow Asean member states who also have territorial claims in the strategic waterway, which China claims the majority of via a 'nine-dash line' it uses to demarcate its territory. The area within the dashes overlaps with areas that Asean members Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei and Indonesia claim as their territories or exclusive economic zones. Currently, there are ongoing negotiations between Asean and Beijing to ink a Code of Conduct to manage South China Sea disputes peacefully . Labelling the queries posed during the session as a 'propaganda spiel disguised as questions' , which drew applause from those in attendance, Mr Teodoro said: 'On dialogue with China, unfortunately, my personal opinion (is that) the fact that the way the question was asked... engenders a deficit of trust in China's words vis-a-vis action.' He also said that while the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam were part of Asean , they are also sovereign countries with their own territorial integrity. 'I'm sure that if what China is doing to the Philippines is done to Malaysia or to any Asean country, you will see a different reaction. Certainly, as an Asean brother, the Philippines will stand up with that Asean brother in time of need and in support and defence of internal law and Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),' he said. Commenting on conducting dialogue with China , Mr Teodoro said that for such exchanges to be effective, it must be coupled with trust. He added: 'China has a lot of trust-building to do to be an effective negotiating partner in dispute settlement. 'We have to call a spade a spade… And that's the biggest stumbling block in dispute resolution or dialogue with China, the deficit of trust.' And while some Asean member states do have overlapping territorial claims with each other, these differences are dealt with in a cooperative and peaceful manner because of the trust between the nations. 'Asean should not allow other parties to define what Asean centrality means. And not (allow others) to use Asean's perceived action or inaction as a wedge to drive divisions among us,' Mr Teodoro said. When asked for a response on Mr Teodoro's remarks, Senior Colonel Qi Dapeng, a National Defence University professor who was among the Chinese delegates that posed questions at the session, took issue with how the Chinese queries were being framed as propaganda slogans. He told the Straits Times at the sidelines of the forum that Mr Teodoro has failed to respond to the issue 'properly'. In his remarks, Mr Teodoro warned that disruptions in strategic maritime corridors such as the South China Sea, the Suez Canal and the Bab el Mandeb, will have impacts across the globe. 'They are arteries of the global economy. Disruption in any of these maritime corridors triggers ripple effects across continents, impacting trade flows, military deployments and diplomatic posture,' he said. Also speaking during the plenary session on Enhancing Security Cooperation for a Stable Asia-Pacific were Thailand's deputy prime minister and defence minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Lithuania's Minister of National Defence Dovile Sakaliene. Mr Phumthum said that there have been efforts for Asean to unite on various fronts, including to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure as well as cross-regional security mechanisms. One area of concern in particular was the protection of undersea infrastructure, which he said remains vulnerable to physical attacks, sabotage and natural disasters. 'Disruption in this domain carries far-reaching consequences for regional economies and security,' he said. Thailand's deputy prime minister and defence minister Phumtham Wechayachai said that there have been efforts for Asean to unite on various fronts. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG Thailand, along with Singapore and Brunei, have proposed that the Asean Digital Masterplan 2025, which focuses on advancing digital transformation in the region, drive cooperation in this area, he added. Answering questions about Thailand's efforts to combat the networks of illegal scam centres that have been operating along its border with Myanmar, Mr Phumthum said this involves collective efforts from all countries. Bangkok and Beijing had earlier in 2025 launched a series of crackdowns to tackle the multi-billion-dollar scam hubs located in Myanmar, repatriating thousands of foreigners – including many Chinese nationals – who had been held captive there . 'We use our positive relations with Myanmar and talk with all concerned countries about online scammer issues, and collaborate in helping victims and trying to find a durable resolution,' he said. Thailand has also cut cross-border supply of electricity, water and internet connectivity to areas in Myanmar linked with these scam centres, he noted. 'This has undoubtedly impacted the local people in the area, but it will help us reduce the problem of online scammers and transnational crime,' Mr Phumthum added. Meanwhile, Ms Sakaliene highlighted Lithuania's Indo-Pacific Strategy that was launched in 2023 in response to the need to ensure security, economic cooperation and strengthen the small state's international position. 'We do have something to offer. And as one of my wonderful colleagues said here, being small does not mean being insignificant, especially where there are a lot of such small ones like us,' she said. On May 31, United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said during the security conference that the future, security and prosperity of the US and its Indo-Pacific allies were linked and 'bound together'. He also encouraged Asian countries to increase their defence spending. Ms Sakaliene said that while the United States' strategic focus on the Indo-Pacific was justified and necessary, it was not Washington's responsibility alone. 'I'm very glad to hear that so many of us here agree that we do have to work together,' she said, warning that if more 'coordinated action' by 'less diplomatically' aligned and authoritarian regimes were to take place, it would complicate global stability for decades. She added: 'In these times of uncertainty, I believe that our ability to weave a tightly knit network of allies and partners from Europe to the Indo-Pacific, based on fair government sharing and defence of joint interest against common threats, is crucial.' Additional reporting by Yew Lun Tian Tan Tam Mei is assistant foreign editor at The Straits Times. She oversees coverage of South-east Asia. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
The Star
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Manila's allies decry dangerous manoevres by Chinese boats in South China Sea
A China Coast Guard ship (left) cutting into the path of the BRP Datu Sanday of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on May 22 in the waters near Pag-asa Island in the South China Sea. A smaller Chinese vessel is seen on the right). — PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD MANILA: Several of the Philippines' allies have expressed grave concern over China's recent use of water cannons and a sideswiping manoeuvre against a Philippine vessel on a routine scientific mission near Sandy Cay in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). In separate statements on Friday (May 23), foreign ambassadors condemned the incident, describing it as 'reckless.' United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said the China Coast Guard's (CCG) aggressive actions against a 'lawful civilian mission' near Sandy Cay recklessly endangered lives and threatened regional stability. Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador in the Philippines Kazuya Endo said he is 'very concerned about the dangerous actions, including use of water cannons against the BFAR vessel.' 'Japan upholds the rule of law and stands firm in defending a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,' he added. European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro said he is also concerned about China's 'latest dangerous actions against Philippine civilian scientific vessels.' 'The EU stands with the Philippines and reiterates the importance of upholding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and the rules-based international order, including the 2016 South China Sea arbitration,' he added. Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu echoed these concerns, saying that Australia shares the Philippines' deep concern over the CCG's dangerous actions near Sandy Cay. 'Using water cannons and sideswiping civilian Philippine vessels endangers lives and harms regional stability. International law, particularly Unclos, must be respected,' she said. Meanwhile, the embassies of New Zealand and Canada in the Philippines expressed alarm and concern over China's dangerous actions within Philippine territory. On May 22, a CCG vessel blasted water cannons and sideswiped a Philippine ship conducting a routine marine scientific research mission near Sandy Cay in the West Philippine Sea. China accused the Philippines of 'conducting illegal activities' in the area, which it called Zhubi Jiao and Tiexian Jiao. China claimed that the Philippines' actions violated its territorial sovereignty and urged Manila to 'cease such infringements immediately.' 'Without approval from the Chinese government, two Philippine official ships illegally entered waters off China's Zhubi Jiao and Tiexian Jiao on Wednesday, with some personnel unlawfully landing on Tiexian Jiao,' CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said on Friday. 'CCG enforcement personnel have taken measures against the ships, landing on the reef to deal with the situation in a professional, standard, reasonable, and legal manner,' he added. China's continued aggression in Philippine waters stems from its sweeping claims over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea—claims that have long been rejected by an international arbitral tribunal. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
