Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries
Múte B. EGEDE, Prime Minister of Greenland
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
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
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:
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:
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:
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:
Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries
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.
Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries
Sara OLSVIG, International Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Council
Aslak HOLMBERG, President, Saami Council
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
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:
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:
Charlina VITCHEVA, Director-General, DG MARE, European Commission
Katuaq Cultural Centre
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:
Youth representatives:
Co-facilitators (European Commission):
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.
