This article examines the main areas of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Norway in the field of environmental protection in the Arctic. It is noted that the role of the Arctic region in modern political processes has increased in connection with the discovery and development of large mineral deposits. At the same time, the Arctic is the extremely vulnerable environment where the effects of climate change are clearly visible. The main threats to the ecology of the Arctic are associated with the increasing anthropogenic impact caused by the economic attractiveness of the region. The Arctic has strategic importance for both Russia and Norway, which have a common border in this region. Accordingly, the rational management of natural resources is one of the most important areas of cooperation between the two countries. In this regard, there are several areas of cooperation: prevention of pollution of marine and land areas (including radioactive contamination), the preservation of biodiversity, the protection of cultural monuments. The article analyses Cooperation Agreement between Russia and Norway in the field of environmental protection signed in 1992 as well as a number of other documents regulating relations between the two countries in this area. Also, the object of the research is the activities of the Joint Russian-Norwegian Environmental Commission established to implement these documents. Some issues on the agenda of the 20th meeting of the Commission, which took place from February 18 to 19, 2019, are considered. It is noted that the most important issue requiring joint environmental work of the two countries is air pollution with heavy metals due to the operation of the mining and smelting company Norilsk Nickel. On a final note it is concluded that Russian-Norwegian cooperation in the field of environmental protection is a successful example of the fruitful interstate cooperation that helps to build constructive good-neighborly relations based on mutual trust.
environmental preservation; climate change; Russian-Norwegian cooperation; the Arctic.