A gathering of the world’s leading Arctic security experts
Arctic security relations are becoming increasingly tense. In the time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, deterrence has largely taken over from dialogue and cooperation in the High North. The Arctic is seeing increased military activity and cases of sabotage and provocation. At the same time, the debate about the geopolitical dynamics in the region is sometimes characterized by simple claims and misconceptions.
With increased tension and rapidly changing security dynamics, there is an urgent need for a research-oriented and nuanced exchange of perceptions about which mechanisms contribute to driving and mitigating conflict in the Arctic.
Join us for the debate at the Arctic Security Conference 2024, in Oslo, Norway. The conference is also live-streamed.
Arctic Security Conference 2024
Linking the North American and European Arctics
When: Thursday 12 & Friday 13 September, 2024
Where: Litteraturhuset, Oslo (Wergeland room – 200 seats + streaming)
Purpose: Contribute to enlightened debate about security policy in the north, dissemination of research
Organisers:
Fridtjof Nansen Institute (lead)
UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Nord University; High North Center for Business and Governance
The Norwegian Atlantic Committee
Norwegian Centre for Geopolitics
North American and Arctic Defence Security Network- NAADSN
Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies
US Coast Guard’s Center for Arctic Study and Policy
The event also receives support from the Research Council of Norway, Institut Français de Norvège, and is part of several projects at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Format: Two days with panels driven by conversations.
Lunch included both days, simple reception after day 1 at Litteraturhuset.
For biographies of each individual, please click on their respective names
Day 1 - Thursday September 12
09:15 - 10:00
Registration
Kaffe
10:00 - 10:05
Welcome
Andreas Østhagen, Senior researcher, Fridtjof Nansen Institute & Associate Professor, Nord University
10.05 - 11.15
Setting the Stage: Arctic security and geopolitics at large
Chair: Anu Fredrikson, Executive Director, Arctic Frontiers Conference
Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Norway
Christina Henriksen, Saami Council
Pasi Rajala, State Secretary to Minister for Foreign Affairs & Minister of Defence, Finland
Amy Baker, Ambassador of Canada to Norway
Mike Sfraga, Chair of US Arctic Research Commission & Chair, Polar Institute, Wilson Center
Mads Qvist Frederiksen, Executive Director, Arctic Economic Council
11:25 - 12.25
Arctic Security: What, where, and who are we talking about?
Chair: Whitney Lackenbauer, Professor and Canada Chair, Trent University
Abbie Tingstad, Research Professor, US Coast Guard Academy
Arild Moe, Research Professor, Fridtjof Nansen Institute
Kristian Søby Kristensen, Senior Researcher, University of Copenhagen
Minna Ålander, Research Fellow, Finnish Institute of International Affairs
Katarina Kertysova, Climate Security Officer, NATO HQ
12:25 - 13.10
Lunch
Sandwiches and beverages
13:10 - 14.10
Arctic Cooperation: Does it play a role mitigating security concerns?
Chair: Svein Vigeland Rottem, Senior Researcher, Fridtjof Nansen Institute
Jennifer Spence, Director, Arctic Initiative, Harvard University
Gosia Smieszek, Postdoctoral researcher, UiT: Arctic University of Norway
Eda Ayadin, Teaching Fellow in International Politics, University of London Institute in Paris
Evan Bloom, Center for the Ocean and the Arctic, UiT: Arctic University of Norway
Paal Sigurd Hilde, Professor, Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies
14:20 - 15.20
Arctic Ocean Governance: Risks, security challenges and lawfare
Chair: Elana Wilson Rowe, Professor, Research Professor NUPI/Associate Professor NMBU
Gørild Heggelund, Research Professor, Fridtjof Nansen Institute
Lawson W. Brigham, Professor, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Suzanne Lalonde, Professor, University of Montreal
Klaus Dodds, Professor, Royal Holloway University
Romain Chuffart, Nansen Professor in Arctic Studies at Akureyri University
15:20 - 15.50
Kaffe and Boller
Chair: Arne O. Holm, Editor-in-Chief, High North News
Thomas Nilsen, Barents Observer
Astri Edvardsen, High North News
Morten Jentoft, NRK
Martin Breum, freelance Denmark
Gwladys Fouche, Reuters
Henry Tang, BBC
15:50 - 17.00
The Journalistic Perspective: How and why cover Arctic security issues?
17:00
Informal reception and mingling at Litteraturhuset, with commentary by:
Maria Varteressian, State Secretary, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Day 2 - Friday September 13
09:15 - 10:00
Registration
Kaffe and Boller
10:00 - 11:35
Arctic Operations: The defense and security perspective
Chair: Kate Hansen Bundt, Secretary General, The Norwegian Atlantic Committee
Political perspective:
Anne Marie Aanerud, State Secretary, Norwegian Ministery of Defence
Iris Ferguson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Arctic and Global Resilience, U.S. Department of Defence
Operational perspective:
Megan Dean, Commander, 17th Coast Guard District (Alaska), U.S. Coast Guard
Daniel Riviere, Commander Joint Task Force North, Yellowknife
Caroline Hoefsmit, Lead Officer Arctic Hub, NATO Maritime Command
Sami Nurmi, Deputy Chief of Staff - Strategy, Finish Defence Forces
Gjert Lage Dyndal, Chief of Operations, Norwegian Defence Staff
11:40 - 12:40
Polar Opposites: North American and European Arctic security
Chair: Gabriella Gricius, PhD Candidate, Colorado State University
Kari Aga Myklebost, Professor, UiT: Arctic University of Norway
Lise Wiederholt Christensen, PhD candidate, University of Copenhagen
Kristin Haugevik, Research Professor, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Matthew J. Hickey, Associate Director, Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies
Lin A. Mortensgaard, PhD candidate, Danish Institute for International Studies
12:40 - 13.30
Lunch
Sandwiches and beverages
13:30 - 14.30
Local Arctic (in)security, Geopolitical Consequences
Chair: Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv, Professor, UiT: Arctic University of Norway
Silja Bara Omarsdottir, Professor, University of Iceland
Anthony Russell, Director, Center for Arctic Study and Policy, US Coast Guard Academy
Kelsey Frazier, Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies
Serafima Andreeva, Researcher, Fridtjof Nansen Institute
Abhijit Singh, Senior Fellow and Head, Maritime Policy Initiative, Observer Research Foundation
14:40- 15.45
Does Arctic Geopolitics Matter for the World?
Chair: Andreas Raspotnik, Senior Researcher, Fridtjof Nansen Institute & Associate Professor, Nord University
Angelina Eichhorst, Managing Director for Europe, European External Action Service
Iver B. Neumann, Director, Fridtjof Nansen Institute
Randy ‘Church’ Kee, Director, Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies
Uttam Sinha, Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
Yang Jian, Professor, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies