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.
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
North University; High North Center Nord University
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
Format: Two full days with panels driven by conversations.
Lunch included both days, simple reception after day 1 at Litteraturhuset.
Day 1 - Thursday September 12 (Tentative program, subject to change)
09:15 - 10:00
Kaffe & registration
10:00 - 10:05
Introduction
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
Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Canada (tbc)
Christina Henriksen, Saami Council
Lisa Murkowski, Senator from Alaska, United States
Bridget Larocque, NAADSN Co-Lead and Chair, Northern Advisory Board Canada
Mike Sfraga, Chair of US Arctic Research Commission & Chair, Polar Institute, Wilson Center
Nusrat Ghani, Minister of State for Europe, United Kingdom
Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland (tbc)
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France (tbc)
11:15 - 12.15
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
12:15 - 13.10
Lunch (sandwich)
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
Serafima Andreeva, Researcher, Fridtjof Nansen Institute
Gosia Smieszek, Postdoctoral researcher, UiT: Arctic University of Norway
Rob Huebert, Professor, University of Calgary
Kari Aga Myklebost, Professor, UiT: Arctic University of Norway
14:20 - 15.20
Arctic 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 & 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 & Mingling at Litteraturhuset
Day 2 - Friday September 13 (Tentative program, subject to change)
09:15 - 10:00
Kaffe, boller & registration
10:00 - 11:15
Arctic Operations: The defense and security perspective
Chair: Kate Hansen Bundt, Secretary General, The Norwegian Atlantic Committee
Political perspective:
Bjørn Arild Gram, Norwegian Minister of Defence (tbc)
Antti Häkkänen, Finnish Minister of Defence (tbc)
Iris Ferguson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Arctic and Global Resilience, US DoD
Randy ‘Church’ Kee, Director, Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies
Operational perspective:
Rune Andersen, Chief of Norwegian Joint Headquarters
Megan Dean, Rear Admiral District 17, US Coast Guard
Daniel Riviere, Bgen, Commander Joint Task Force North, Yellowknife
Caroline Hoefsmit, Lead Officer Arctic Hub, NATO
Sami Nurmi, Deputy Chief of Staff - Strategy, Finish Defence Forces
Alexandre Escoria, Assistant Defence Policy Director, French Ministry of Defence (tbc)
11:15 - 12:15
Polar Opposites: North American and European Arctic security
Chair: Gabriella Gricius, PhD Candidate, Colorado State University
Paal Sigurd Hilde, Professor, Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies
Kristin Haugevik, Research Professor, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Stian Bones, Professor, UiT: Arctic University of Norway
Lise Wiederholt Christensen, PhD candidate, University of Copenhagen
Matthew J. Hickey, Associate Director, Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies
12:15 - 13.00
Lunch (sandwich)
13:00 - 14.00
Arctic Human Security: From Local to International
Chair: Marc Lanteigne, Professor, UiT: Arctic University of Norway
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
14:00 - 15.00
Does Arctic Geopolitics Matter for the World?
Chair: Andreas Raspotnik, Senior Researcher, Fridtjof Nansen Institute & Nord University
Nathalie Tocci, Director, Istituto Affari Internazionali
Iver B. Neumann, Director, Fridtjof Nansen Institute
Steven Miller, Professor, Belfer Center at Harvard Kennedy School
Uttam Sinha, Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
Yang Jian, Professor, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies