An international meeting to try to prevent the Arctic becoming the next battleground over mineral wealth has begun in Moscow.
One quarter of the world's resources of oil and gas are believed to lie beneath the Arctic Ocean.
Russia, Norway, Canada, Denmark and the United States have already laid claim to territory in the region.
Some 300 delegates will discuss co-operation but are also likely to push their claims to the Arctic's riches.
The region's resources are rapidly becoming accessible due to the dramatic shrinking of the polar ice cap.
The race for the Arctic centres on an underwater mountain range known as the Lomonosov Ridge.
In 2001, Moscow submitted a territorial claim to the United Nations which was rejected because of lack of evidence.
Three years ago, a Russian expedition planted a titanium flag on the ocean floor beneath the North Pole in a symbolic gesture of Moscow's ambitions.
Canada and Denmark are also planning to submit separate files to the UN.
BBC News
