“The Arctic is often portrayed either as a battleground for great-power rivalry or as a zone of pure cooperation. In reality, it is neither. Our goal is to foster a research-based, nuanced discussion,” says Andreas Østhagen, senior researcher at FNI.

This year’s program examines Russia’s role in the Arctic, the cohesion of Western alliances, and how global trends influence northern dynamics. It contrasts outside perspectives, such as from India and the EU, with local dynamics inside Arctic states.

“We want to understand where tensions lie, and where institutions still provide stability,” says conference organiser and FNI researcher Iselin Németh Winther. “The aim is to look beyond headlines and focus on what matters for Arctic security.”

The conference is fully booked for physical participation, but interested audiences can follow the livestream here.

Practical information:

  • Date: 18 September 2025

  • Location: SALT, Oslo (The Arctic Main Stage)

  • Language: English

  • Participation: Full, digital participation available

  • Program: www.arcticsecuritynet.com/asc25

For more information: www.arcticsecuritynet.com/asc25 or contact inwinther@fni.no.

Organisers: Fridtjof Nansen Institute in collaboration with UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Nord University, Institut Français Norvège, The Norwegian Atlantic Committee, Norwegian Centre for Geopolitics, Indian Council of World Affairs, University of Alaska Fairbanks, NAADSN, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies, The Arctic Institute, Harvard Kennedy School – Belfer Center Arctic Initiative, US Coast Guard Center for Arctic Study and Policy, Embassy of Canada to Norway. Supported by the Research Council of Norway and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.