Norway is currently chair of the Arctic Council. On 30 November, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in The Hague will organise an Arctic Panel in collaboration with the MSc International Relations and Diplomacy programme at Leiden University.
The panel debate will explore various aspects of the Arctic region’s development. A number of distinguished speakers, including policymakers, researchers, and regional representatives, will address topics like climate change, sustainable economic development, Arctic peoples, and challenges/opportunities in the High North.The format of the panel will involve short presentations by the speakers, followed by a dynamic discussion led by Senior Arctic Analyst Marisol Maddox of the Wilson Center Polar Institute. After the panel debate, there will be ample time for the audience to join the discussion with the panellists.
Background:
On 11 May, Norway took over the chairship of the Arctic Council from Russia for a two-year term. Due to Russia's
invasion of Ukraine, all official Arctic Council meetings were temporarily halted. Despite these challenges, Norway is
committed to guiding the Arctic Council through uncertain times.
The Arctic Council is a crucial platform for knowledge creation and information exchange on a range of Arctic
challenges. Its role is to provide guidance on these pressing issues. In recent years, the consequences of climate change
have played a particularly important role in the work of the Council and its working groups.
Norway has set the following priorities for its chairship of the Arctic Council: the oceans, climate and environment,
sustainable economic development, and the people of the north.
Through these focus areas, Norway is committed to
the Council's objective of ensuring a stable and sustainable Arctic region.
Moderator:
Marisol Maddox, Senior Arctic Analyst, Wilson Center Polar Institute
Panellists:
• H.E. Bård Ivar Svendsen, Norwegian Ambassador to the Netherlands
• H.E. René van Hell, Arctic Ambassador of the Netherlands
• Anja Márjá Nystø Keskitalo, Saami Council (Advisor EU unit)
• Martine van den Heuvel-Greve, Wageningen University & Research (Scientist and R&D Arctic)
Program
15:00 – 15:10
Registration
15:15 – 15:25
Setting the scene – current situation in the Arctic region,
Marisol Maddox, Wilson Center
15:25 – 15:33
Norway’s Chairship of the Arctic Council
Bård Ivar Svendsen
15:33 – 15:40
Dutch priorities for the Arctic / Arctic Council
Rene van Hell
15:40 – 15:50
How can (future) human activities impact the Arctic marine environment?
Martine van den Heuvel-Greve (Wageningen University)
15:50 – 16:00
Climate, Culture, and Diplomacy – An Arctic Indigenous Perspective
Anja Márjá Nystø Keskitalo, Saami Council
16:00 – 16:10
Reflections
16:10 – 16:40
Panel discussion
16:40 – 17:00
Q&A session with the audience
17:15 – 18:15
Reception