Arctic Challenges: The Importance of Trans-Arctic Collaboration 2024

Leading into the Arctic Circle Assembly, the University of Iceland invited participants to an open seminar on October 16 2024, from 13:00 to 17:00, in the Ceremonial Hall at the University of Iceland. This event gathered leading academics and experts for an engaging dialogue on Arctic challenges, with key sessions on Arctic governance, science diplomacy, and maritime safety.

In the face of geopolitical tensions and the growing impacts of climate change, the seminar explored how to foster a more inclusive and cooperative scientific collaboration in the Arctic. It addressed the main challenges that emerged as melting ice opened new sea routes and resource opportunities, and how international frameworks could be strengthened to effectively manage these transformations.

The seminar delved into these pressing issues, examining how open dialogue and collaboration offered solutions for the region’s future.

13:00 Welcome Remarks Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector and President of the University of Iceland

13:05 Opening remarks Lars Kullerud, President of the University of the Arctic, UArctic

13:20 Arctic Governance: The Problems of Accelerating Climate Change and a Dysfunctional Governance System

Panel discussion Ambassador Bergdís Ellertsdóttir, Iceland's Senior Arctic Official, Inuuteq Holm Olsen, Head of Greenland’s Mission to the EU, Ambassador Morten Høglund, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials

Moderated by Pia Hansson, Director, Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland

14:15 Keynote address Melody Brown Burkins, Director of the Institute of Arctic Studies at Dartmouth and UArctic Chair in Science Diplomacy and Inclusion

14:25 Science Diplomacy in the Arctic

Panel discussion Guðbjörg Ríkey Th. Hauksdóttir, PhD Candidate, University of Iceland; Predoctoral Fellow, Harvard's Arctic Initiative, Gunn-Britt Retter, Head, Arctic & Environmental Unit, Saami Council, Melody Brown Burkins, Director, Institute of Arctic Studies at Dartmouth and UArctic Chair in Science Diplomacy and Inclusion, Oran Young, Professor Emeritus at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California in Santa Barbara

Moderated by Kristinn Schram, Associate Professor, University of Iceland and Vice-lead for the UArctic Thematic Network Circumpolar Archives, Folklore and Ethnography (CAFE)

15:15 Coffee break

15:30 Keynote address Viggó Sigurðsson, Coordinator of the Operational Department of the Icelandic Coast Guard

15:45: Maritime Safety in the Arctic

Panel discussion Áslaug Ásgeirsdóttir, Rector, University of Akureyri, Kjell Stokvik, Director, Centre for High North Logistics/ Nord University, Lára Jóhannsdóttir, Professor in Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Sustainability, University of Iceland, Soffía Guðmundsdóttir, Executive Director, PAME, Viggó Sigurðsson, Coordinator, Operational Department, Icelandic Coast Guard

Moderated by Gunnar Stefánsson, Vice-President of Research, UArctic; Professor, University of Iceland and University of Chalmers

16:40 Introducing the Polar Dialogue

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland 2017-2024