The five countries in which polar bears are native have agreed on a new international action plan to protect the species. Russia, the United States, Canada, Norway, and Denmark (Greenland) decided to intensify their cooperation through 2028 in order to secure the long-term future of polar bear populations.
The decision was made at the ninth meeting of the contracting parties to the 1973 Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears. The meeting took place online at the end of January 2026 under Danish chairmanship and brought together representatives of the responsible nature conservation authorities from all range states. The focus was both on taking stock of previous measures and on setting the course for the years ahead.
First, participants conducted a joint review of the Circumpolar Action Plan 2015–2025. This program is considered a milestone in international polar bear research. Over the past ten years, scientists produced detailed maps of population density across the Arctic, developed a standardized system for recording conflicts between humans and bears, and examined the prerequisites for a comprehensive census of the animals in the Arctic Ocean.
Special attention was given to the contribution of the Russian delegation. It presented new data on the protection of polar bears both within and outside strictly protected nature reserves. This included observations from remote regions such as Franz Josef Land and the Bear Islands, as well as model calculations identifying particularly suitable denning sites for pregnant females. These refuges are considered crucial for reproductive success and thus for the survival of the species.
The newly adopted action plan focuses through 2028 on enhanced scientific monitoring, consistent protection of key habitats, and closer international coordination. Experts from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as well as working groups of the Arctic Council are to accompany and evaluate its implementation.
The polar bear is more than just an iconic animal of the far North. As an apex predator, it reacts particularly sensitively to changes in its habitat. Its status is therefore regarded as a barometer for the health of the entire Arctic. How successful the new action plan will be depends not least on whether the participating states can further deepen their cooperation in the face of growing ecological and geopolitical challenges.
Rosamaria Kubny, PolarJournal