Several of the sessions are organised jointly with research institutes, universities and other partners from Europe, Asia and North America.

Here is where to find FNI researchers during the Arctic Circle Assembly 2026.

Thursday, 8 October

08:30–09:25 | How to Close the Arctic's Critical Minerals Governance Gap?

How can governance of critical minerals in the Arctic keep pace with growing demand and geopolitical change?

Co-organised by FNI, Chatham House and Nordic Circular Hotspot.

FNI researchers Gørild Heggelund joins Malene Vahl Rasmussen, Mayor of Kujalleq Municipality in Greenland, and Kalle Kankaanpää, Arctic Ambassador of Finland. Patrick Schroeder of Chatham House and Cathrine Barth of Nordic Circular Hotspot moderate the session.
 

08:30–09:25 | The Future of Thriving Arctic Communities

Andreas Raspotnik, Senior Researcher at FNI and Director of the High North Center for Business & Governance, contributes to a discussion on the future of Arctic communities, focusing on business and governance in the Arctic.

The session is organised by the High North Center at Nord University, the Belfer Center at Harvard Kennedy School and the Arctic Council's Sustainable Development Working Group.
 

09:45–10:40 | The United States & the Arctic: A Test for NATO Cohesion?

Andreas Østhagen joins a discussion of US Arctic policy and what developments in the region could mean for cohesion within NATO.

Other participants include David Balton, Samu Paukkunen, Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir and Aaja Chemnitz.

The session is organised by the Centre for Arctic Studies at the University of Iceland and the Finnish Institute of International Affairs.
 

11:00–11:55 | Rethinking Arctic Ocean Protection

How should the Arctic Ocean be protected as climate change, economic activity and geopolitical tensions reshape the region?

FNI Research Director Andreas Østhagen joins researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Harvard Kennedy School and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

The session is organised by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
 

11:00–11:55 | China in Arctic Science: Strengthening Trust & Cooperation

China's role in Arctic research has become increasingly intertwined with wider political and geopolitical questions. This session looks at the prospects for scientific cooperation and trust in this changing environment.

Co-organised by FNI, the University of Lapland, the Polar Research Institute of China and The Arctic Institute.

FNI researcher Erdem Lamazhapov joins researchers from China, Finland and Canada. Serafima Andreeva is listed as moderator in the draft programme.
 

17:20–18:15 | Arctic Shipping: Asian Perspectives on Geopolitics & Energy

What does the development of Arctic shipping routes mean for Asian countries, energy security and global supply chains?

Co-organised by FNI and the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI).

FNI researchers Gørild Heggelund, Arild Moe and Erdem Lamazhapov take part. Heggelund will discuss China's Polar Silk Road – Reality or Vision?, while Lamazhapov moderates.

They are joined by Soojung Ahn of the Korea Energy Economics Institute, Yoo Joon Koo of the Sejong Institute and Kjell Stokvik of the Centre for High North Logistics at Nord University.
 

17:20–18:15 | Strengthening Europe Through Arctic & Arctic Through Europe

Andreas Østhagen joins diplomats and researchers from Belgium, Ireland, Iceland, Germany and other European countries for a discussion of the links between Europe and the Arctic.

Co-organised by FNI, the German Arctic Office at the Alfred Wegener Institute, the Egmont Institute, the Clingendael Institute and The Arctic Institute.
 

18:35–19:30 | Sabotage & Drones: Hybrid Threats in the Arctic

This session examines sabotage, drones and other hybrid threats across different parts of the Arctic.

Co-organised by FNI, the North American & Arctic Defence & Security Network and the Royal Danish Defence College.

Andreas Østhagen will speak on hybrid threats on Svalbard. Serafima Andreeva is listed in the draft programme with a contribution on hybrid threats across the Baltic, Black and Barents Seas.

Other speakers bring perspectives from Iceland, Canada and Northern Norway.
 

20:30–21:25 | Breaking the Ice: Arctic Careers & Mentorship

Andreas Raspotnik takes part in a session on careers and mentorship in Arctic research, policy and cooperation, contributing perspectives on governance and diplomacy.

The session is organised by the Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network, Arctic Mayors' Forum, University of Iceland, Stefansson Arctic Institute and the Association of Polar Early Career Researchers (APECS).
 

Friday, 9 October

08:30–09:25 | Can the Arctic Stay Calm While the World Burns? Distant Wars & the Future of the High North

Wars and conflicts far beyond the Arctic are also affecting relations between states in the North.

FNI researcher Erdem Lamazhapov will speak on Russo-Chinese Cooperation and Shifting Security Dynamics in the High North.

The session is organised by the UArctic Thematic Network on Geopolitics & Security.

 

08:30–09:25 | The Role of Non-Arctic & Non-Observer States

What roles can states that are neither Arctic states nor Arctic Council observers play in the region?

Andreas Raspotnik moderates the discussion, organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Portuguese Institute of International Relations, Malaurie Institute of Arctic Research and the High North Center at Nord University.
 

17:00–18:00 | The EU's 2026 Arctic Policy: Do the Nordics Approve?

What does the EU's 2026 Arctic policy mean for the Nordic countries?

Co-organised by FNI, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the High North Center for Business & Governance at Nord University.

Andreas Østhagen will discuss Norway, the EU and the High North, while Andreas Raspotnik moderates.

The panel also includes Raphaël Goulet of the European Commission, Marc Jacobsen of the Royal Danish Defence College, Katarina Gårdfeldt of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Guðbjörg Ríkey Th. Hauksdóttir of the University of Iceland/Belfer Center and Rasmus Gjedssø Bertelsen of UiT.
 

Saturday, 10 October

11:00–11:55 | The Role of Non-Arctic Actors in Arctic Governance

What role should non-Arctic countries play in Arctic governance?

Co-organised by FNI and the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), Italy.

FNI researcher Iselin Nemeth Winther moderates a discussion with Agostino Pinna, Special Envoy for the Arctic Region at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Luca Cinciripini of IAI and Pernille Rieker of ARENA at the University of Oslo.
 

11:00–11:55 | The Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement in a Shifting Geopolitical Context

The agreement on fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean is one example of international cooperation being tested by a changing geopolitical environment.

Andreas Østhagen is listed in the draft programme, alongside Vito De Lucia, Gunnar Rekvig, Ingrid Solstad Andreaassen, Jianping Guo, Elana Wilson Rowe and Evan Bloom, for a discussion of the agreement and its future.

The session is organised by the Norwegian Centre for the Law of the Sea at UiT.

The programme is based on the Arctic Circle Assembly draft programme published on 2 September 2026 and may be subject to change.


Also in Reykjavik: FrontierLaw and SecureSeas workshop

On 7 October, ahead of the Arctic Circle Assembly, FNI brings together researchers and practitioners for an invitation-only workshop in Reykjavík on rules, power and grey zones in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

The workshop connects the FNI-led FrontierLaw project with SecureSeas, bringing together expertise on the high seas, outer space, Antarctica and the Central Arctic Ocean. Participants include researchers and practitioners from Norway and abroad, as well as representatives from industry and other organisations.

The workshop is closed and by invitation only.