The announcement on December 19, 2023, by the US Department of State of the geographic coordinates defining the outer limits of the United States’ continental shelf in areas beyond 200 nautical miles is the final piece of the Arctic continental shelves puzzle. Nevertheless, it will take some time for a complete picture to emerge.
In Polar Perspectives No. 15, Dr. Suzanne Lalonde navigates the intricacies of the Law of the Sea, discusses the complexities of the recent US ECS announcement, and provides insight into the Arctic geopolitical landscape in the wake of recent events.
About the Author
Suzanne Lalonde
Polar Institute
Since its inception in 2017, the Polar Institute has become a premier forum for discussion and policy analysis of Arctic and Antarctic issues, and is known in Washington, DC and elsewhere as the Arctic Public Square. The Institute holistically studies the central policy issues facing these regions—with an emphasis on Arctic governance, climate change, economic development, scientific research, security, and Indigenous communities—and communicates trusted analysis to policymakers and other stakeholders. Read more
