TROMSO, Norway (AP) -- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton treks north of the Arctic Circle on Saturday, a region that could become a new international battleground for resources.

Clinton's trip to northern Norway is her second to the area in a year.

She is bringing a message of cooperation to one of the world's last frontiers of unexplored oil, gas and mineral deposits.

She's also underscoring the region's rising significance as melting icecaps accelerate the opening of new shipping routes, fishing stocks and drilling opportunities.

To safely exploit the riches, the U.S. and other countries near the North Pole are trying to work together to combat harmful climate change, settle territorial disputes and prevent oil spills.

An eight-nation Arctic Council is being established to manage responsibly new opportunities.

AP-WF-06-02-12 0701GMT