Programme

Times are displayed in the event time zone (Nuuk/Greenland, GMT -3 hours)

Times are displayed in the event time zone (Nuuk/Greenland, GMT -3 hours)

08:00 - 08:30

Registration and welcome coffee

08:30 - 08:45

Welcome and opening

Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries
Múte B. EGEDE, Prime Minister of Greenland

08:45 - 10:35

International Cooperation in the Arctic: Moving Forward

International cooperation in the Arctic is now more important than ever. High-level representatives from Arctic states, as well as Indigenous and youth representatives, will present their views and discuss the future of international cooperation in the Arctic.

Facilitator: Charlina VITCHEVA, Director-General, DG MARE, European Commission

Speakers

  • H.E. Lars Løkke RASMUSSEN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark
  • H.E. Høgni HOYDAL, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade, and Deputy Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands
  • Eivind VAD PETERSSON, State Secretary, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Norway
  • Petteri VUORIMÄKI, Arctic Ambassador of Finland
  • Silje Karine MUOTKA, President, Sámi Parliament of Norway
  • Naja-Theresia HØEGH, Student, Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) Youth Network

Remarks by H.E. Vivian MOTZFELDT, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Business and Trade of Greenland

Remarks by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

10:35 - 11:00

Coffee Break

11:00 - 12:15

The EU in the Arctic, and the Arctic in the EU

The EU is a major actor in the Arctic, exercising varying degrees of influence in different Arctic regions. The Arctic also plays a major role in the EU, including in key areas such as energy or resources. This panel examines the dynamic relation between the EU and the Arctic, the Arcticness of the EU, and the Europeanness of the Arctic.

Keynote: Märt VOLMER, Undersecretary for Global Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia

Moderator: Clara GANSLANDT, EU Special Envoy for Arctic matters, EEAS

Panel composition:

  • Mininnguaq KLEIST, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Business and Trade of Greenland
  • Thomas WINKLER, Arctic Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark
  • Petri KOISTINEN, Policy Coordinator, DG REGIO, European Commission
  • Anja Márjá Nystø KESKITALO, Advisor EU Unit, Saami Council
  • Tomas MÖRTSELL, President, Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR) Baltic Sea Commission / Region Västerbotten
  • Mika RIIPI, County Governor of the Regional Council of Lapland
12:15 - 13:45

Standing Lunch

13:45 - 15:00

Sustainable and inclusive economic development to the benefit of the Arctic

Today, the Arctic is bursting with a growing economy that provides Europe and the world with essential resources. The Arctic also holds a great potential in key future economic sectors such as biotechnology, new materials, or e-services. This panel discusses how economic development in the Arctic can be made both sustainable and inclusive, maximising the benefits of the green and digital transitions, enhancing circularity, fostering prosperity and well-being, and taking into account the interests and benefiting of those living in the Arctic

Moderator: Mads QVIST FREDERIKSEN, Executive Director, Arctic Economic Council

Panel composition:

  • Nils-Olov LINDFORS, Councillor of Region Norrbotten and Vice chair of the Northern Sparsely Populated Areas network
  • Silje Karine MUOTKA, President, Sámi Parliament of Norway
  • Josephine NYMAND, Head of Department of Environment and Minerals, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources
  • Christian KELDSEN, Director, Greenland Business Association
  • Maria NYBERG, Policy Officer, DG GROW, European Commission
15:00 - 15:30

Coffee Break

15:30 - 16:30

Facing the Challenges

Climate change and its impacts remain the largest threat to the Arctic and the world. Climate change also negatively feeds into environmental challenges such as pollution or biodiversity loss. In addition, the Arctic faces multiple human and societal challenges, including asymmetrical socioeconomic development or uneven access to services and linked infrastructure. This panel examines these challenges, with a focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation, and implications for safety and resilience in the Arctic and for Arctic communities.

Keynote: Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

Moderator: Clara GANSLANDT, EU Special Envoy for Arctic matters, EEAS

Panel composition:

  • Francisco CALÍ TZAY, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • Mauro FACCHINI, Head of Unit, European Commission, DG DEFIS
  • Anni-Sofia NIITTYVUOPIO, Chair, Youth Council of the Finnish Sámi Parliament
  • Jennifer SPENCE, Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School, Belfer Arctic Initiative
16:30 - 17:30

Delivering results under the EU Arctic policy

The EU updated its Arctic policy in October 2021, giving due recognition to the role of Indigenous as well as regional organisations. This panel brings these actors around the table together with the European Commission and the European External Action Service to foster dialogue and discuss progress.

Keynote: Charlina VITCHEVA, Director-General, DG MARE, European Commission

Moderator: Raphaël GOULET Head of Unit, DG MARE, European Commission

Panel composition:

  • Aslak HOLMBERG, President, Saami Council
  • Patti BRUNS, Secretary-General, Arctic Mayors' Forum
  • Heidar GUDJONSSON, Vice-Chair, Arctic Economic Council
  • Kari AALTO, Director, East & North Finland EU Office, Northern Sparsely Populated Areas Network
  • Viljo VUORIMÄKI, Chair, Executive Board of the Student Union, University of Lapland
17:30 - 17:45

Conclusion

Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

18:00

Reception

Registered participants are invited to a mingling evening to taste Greenlandic delicacies and as a enjoy local culture. The evening is hosted by the Government of Greenland, and will take place at the Katuaq Cultural Centre.

07:45 - 08:00

Registration and welcome coffee

08:00 - 08:30

Keynote addresses

Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries
Sara OLSVIG, International Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Council
Aslak HOLMBERG, President, Saami Council

08:30 - 10:00

Inclusive Arctic Partnerships

This session showcases the cooperation between the EU and Greenland as well as the EU and the Sámi Council, and how those partnerships fit in the larger Arctic governance picture. The session also explores how the EU can help foster Arctic dialogue and expand international cooperation in the region with a focus on Indigenous inclusiveness.

Keynote: H.E. Vivian MOTZFELDT, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Business and Trade of Greenland

Moderator: Clara GANSLANDT, EU Special Envoy for Arctic matters, EEAS

Panel composition

  • Åsa LARSSON BLIND, Vice-President, Saami Council
  • Petteri VUORIMÄKI, Arctic Ambassador of Finland
  • Rikke NIELSEN, Head of the European Commission Office in Nuuk
  • Kristin SOLBJØR, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norway
  • Niini Malu HANSEN, Member, Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) Network
10:00 - 10:20

Coffee Break

10:20 - 11:40

Food Security in the Arctic

The Arctic is a producer and exporter of food. Yet food security illustrates some of the main challenges faced by Arctic local and indigenous communities. This panel addresses how geopolitical, economic, developmental or climatic factors mostly exogenous to the Arctic impact societal matters in local and indigenous communities.

Moderator: Anu FREDRIKSON, Executive Director, Arctic Frontiers

Panel composition:

  • Amalie A. JESSEN, Head of Division, Minister for Fisheries and Hunting of Greenland
  • Åsa LARSSON BLIND, Vice-President, Saami Council
  • Gert MULVAD, MD PhD hc, Greenland Center for Health Research Ilisimatusarfik
  • Moa JOHANSSON, CEO, Containing Greens
  • Miguel RONCERO, International Relations Officer, DG MARE, European Commission
11:40 - 12:50

Making Arctic Knowledge and Research Inclusive

This panel session pivots around science, research and innovation, including the relevance of traditional/indigenous knowledge. It highlights EU support to science, research and innovation activities in the Arctic, examining the local and global impact of such research, and showcasing initiatives to make EU research more participate, including how local and indigenous communities can both contribute to and benefit from EU research programmes.

Moderator: Raphaël GOULET Head of Unit, DG MARE, European Commission

Panel composition:

  • Ellen-Sara SPARROK, Vice-President, Saami Council
  • Qivioq Nivi LØVSTRØM, Chair, Human Rights Council of Greenland
  • Tero MUSTONEN, Lead Arctic Passion, Chairperson Snowchange Cooperative
  • Lise Lotte SØRENSEN, Associate Professor, Aarhus University
  • Ana-Maria STAN, Policy Officer, DG RTD, European Commission
12:50 - 13:00

Conclusion

Charlina VITCHEVA, Director-General, DG MARE, European Commission

13:00 - 14:30

Standing Lunch

Katuaq Cultural Centre

14:30 - 16:00

EU Policy Lab session – Arctic Youth Dialogue

Storytelling is a captivating way of raising awareness. And the Arctic has a wealth of stories to tell, particularly from the Arctic youth.

Attention is growing on the importance of including of young people in decision-making on the Arctic. However, challenges may arise from structural or social barriers to youth participation, but there may be also some reluctance or lack of desire to participate by young persons. In this informal and interactive session, we explore the challenges that hinder wider participation in Arctic decision-making across generations by asking Indigenous youth what values they bring to the Arctic table, what challenges are there when engaging in decision-making, and what are the options for improving the situation.

We will explore these questions asking young Indigenous activists, politicians, students and entrepreneurs about stories related to the values that drive them and their experiences and of involvement in decision-making about governing, influencing, changing, maintaining and understanding the Arctic. Join this EU Policy Lab to deepen your understanding of the Arctic!

Introduction by Raphaël GOULET Head of Unit, DG MARE, European Commission

Facilitators:

  • Corine WOOD-DONNELLY, Associate Professor, Nord University
  • Adam STEPIEN, Researcher, Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland

Youth representatives:

  • Nivikka WITJES, COO, Siu-Tsiu
  • Anja Márjá Nystø KESKITALO, Advisor EU Unit, Saami Council
  • Niskua IGUALIKINYA, Climate Research Coordinator, Open Society Foundations
  • Louis Papis CHEMNITZ, Student, University of Greenland
  • Anni-Sofia NIITTYVUOPIO, Chair, Youth Council of the Finnish Sámi Parliament
  • Co-facilitators (European Commission):

    • Miguel RONCERO, International Relations Officer, DG MARE
    • Vassilis DOKALIS, Legal and International Relations Assistant, DG MARE
    • Ana-Maria STAN, Policy Officer, DG RTD
    • Emilie CANOVA, Researcher, Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge

    EU Policy Labs are spaces designed to foster creativity and engagement to develop interactions, processes and tools contributing to bring innovation in the European policy-making.