Key Developments
On 22 September 2026, Naalakkersuisut said Greenland, Denmark and the United States signed a defence and security agreement at UN Headquarters in New York to strengthen Arctic and North Atlantic security, recognize Greenland’s right to self-determination and proceed through parliamentary procedures before taking effect.
Key Statistics
- 3 governments were parties to the Greenland, Denmark and United States defence and security agreement.
- Historical: DKK 1.2 billion was prioritized by Greenland and Denmark for Greenland initiatives and investments from 2026 to 2029.
Main Body
On 22 September 2026, Naalakkersuisut announced that Greenland, Denmark and the United States had signed a defence and security agreement at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Government of Greenland said the agreement was intended to strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic, was rooted in NATO cooperation and recognized Greenland’s right to self-determination.
A separate facts announcement from Naalakkersuisut said the agreement covered defence and security cooperation among the three parties. The signing did not make the agreement immediately operative, as Naalakkersuisut said it would go through parliamentary procedures before taking effect.
The agreement followed a 18 September 2026 statement in which Naalakkersuisut said the three parties were expected to sign an Arctic and North Atlantic security deal during the UN General Assembly. It also came after Naalakkersuisut said Greenland and Denmark had agreed to prioritize DKK 1.2 billion for initiatives and investments in Greenland, including support for vulnerable citizens, water supply, energy infrastructure, airport operations and transport studies.
The pact mattered because Naalakkersuisut framed Arctic and North Atlantic security as a trilateral issue involving Greenland, Denmark and the United States within NATO cooperation. In practical terms, the agreement linked allied defence coordination with Greenland’s political status, while the required parliamentary procedures meant implementation would depend on formal domestic approval steps.
