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Finland, the United States and Canada confirm their support for Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

19.11.2025 Press releases

On 18 November, Finland, the United States and Canada signed a trilateral Joint Statement of Intent (JSOI) confirming support for the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact, launched in autumn 2024. The JSOI was signed in Washington DC by Sakari Puisto, the Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs, Kristi Noem, the United States Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Kirsten Hillman, Canada's Ambassador to the United States.

Finland, Canada and the United States have published a Joint Statement of Intent stating that icebreaker cooperation initiated under the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact, signed in November 2024, has progressed as planned in particular with regard to industrial cooperation.

The ICE Pact aims to advance long-term industrial cooperation on building icebreakers, developing workforce skills and utilising production chains that are sustainable, efficient, secure and reduce critical dependencies. The ICE Pact partner countries are also preparing common research and development projects to strengthen their technological expertise and security of supply.

As part of the cooperation, projects to develop icebreakers have already been initiated in Canada and the United States. Building projects form the basis for practical cooperation and demonstrate the shared intent of the countries to strengthen their Arctic expertise.

Going forward, the countries will commit to deepening existing cooperation to maintain and expand their shipyard and icebreaker capacity. The aim is to increase comprehensive industrial capabilities, which will generate economic benefits to all parties involved, strengthen the operational capabilities among the allies in the Arctic region and promote stability, security and sustainable development in the Arctic.

"Signing this joint statement will give us momentum and support for cooperation within the ICE Pact. Icebreaker cooperation will drive economic growth for all three countries and improve Arctic security," said Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto.

After the ICE Pact Principals Meeting, an ICE Pact National Coordinators and Working Groups Meeting will be held in Washington DC on 19-20 November, together with an Industry Day event for companies and research institutes in the sector.

While in Washington, Minister Puisto also met government representatives from the US Department of Commerce, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation, among other organisations. The meetings addressed themes such as quantum technology, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and technology policy. The purpose of the meetings was to further expand trade and cooperation between the countries.