Greenland, with its mineral wealth and strategic position in the Arctic, is of great interest to global powers, including China, Russia and the United States. As climate change opens new shipping routes and access to resources, U.S. interest in the Arctic has grown significantly. Following U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s renewed suggestion to purchase Greenland, the country’s Prime Minister has called for full independence, framing it as a move to shed the “shackles” of colonialism.

This timely panel asks what are the implications of the current debate over Greenland’s status and how can that affect the broader questions of Arctic diplomacy and security, especially from a Nordic viewpoint?

The discussion will address ongoing debates surrounding Greenland’s independence, the political, economic, and cultural factors beyond the deliberations, and what independence means for Greenland and its people.

Tove Søvndahl Gant, Head of the Greenland Representation in Iceland, will offer opening remarks to be followed by a panel discussion with Berit Kristoffersen, Associate Professor of Political Science at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Javier L. Arnaut, Head of Department of Arctic Social Science & Economics, Ilisimatusarfik - University of Greenland and Marc Lanteigne, Associate Professor of Political Science at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.

The discussion will be moderated by Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir, Professor of International Affairs, University of Iceland.