FNI at Arctic Frontiers 2026

Fridtjof Nansen Institute takes part broadly in Arctic Frontiers in Tromsø, 2–5 February. Through side events, panels and scholarly contributions, the Institute addresses key Arctic issues including geopolitics, Indigenous rights, critical minerals, academic freedom, security and cooperation in the High North.

Below is an overview of events where Fridtjof Nansen Institute is organiser, co-organiser or contributes academically.

Monday 2 February

If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu: How should Norway and the EU navigate the Arctic?

Arctic Frontiers side event | Time: 09:00 - 10:30 | Importkompaniet, The Edge

Visit Greenland Norway, the EU and the Arctic: who sets the terms?

How can Norway and the EU work more closely in an Arctic shaped by growing geopolitical rivalry? The discussion focuses on the EU’s role in the High North, Norway’s position outside the EU, and how Arctic sovereignty, local agency and multilateral cooperation can be safeguarded.

Speakers:
Klaus Dodds, Robert Habeck, Iselin Stensdal (Fridtjof Nansen Institute), Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv (UiT The Arctic University of Norway)

Moderator: Andreas Raspotnik (Fridtjof Nansen Institute)
Organisers: Centre for Geopolitics; Fridtjof Nansen Institute

More info here.
Streaming available here.

On Thin Ice: Overtourism, ecosystems and livelihoods in the Arctic

Arctic Frontiers side event | 15:30–17:00 | Importkompaniet, The Edge

Climate change and growing mass tourism are putting increasing pressure on fragile Arctic ecosystems and Indigenous livelihoods. Can legal frameworks help protect both nature and culture in the Arctic?

Speakers:

Kristin Rosendal, Research Professor at Fridtjof Nansen Institute
Ágúst Bogason, Senior Research Adviser at Nordregio
Ellen-Sara Sparrok, Vice President, Saami Council
Helga Bårdsdatter Kristiansen, Sustainability Advisor, Tromsø Municipality
Camilla Aviaja Olsen, International Chair of the Arctic Council's Sustainable evelopment Working Group, and Head of Section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Research, Greenland

Moderator: Guttorm Aanes, Head of Communication, NordForsk

Co-hosted by: NordForsk; Fridtjof Nansen Institute; Nordregio

Critical minerals, geopolitics and the Arctic

Arctic Frontiers side event | 15:30–17:00 | Margarinfabrikken 2, The Edge

Critical minerals are reshaping geopolitics, technology development and the green transition. This event discusses China’s role, Nordic Arctic options, and the implications for the environment, Indigenous rights and governance.

Speakers include:

Silje Karine Muotka, President, Sámi Parliament of Norway
Gørild Heggelund (Fridtjof Nansen Institute)
Iselin Stensdal (Fridtjof Nansen Institute)
Ida Soltvedt Hvinden (Fridtjof Nansen Institute)

Organisers: Fridtjof Nansen Institute; Nord University
Contact: Gørild Merethe Heggelund

Interdisciplinary Poster Session

Science | 17:30–19:00 | Saga Hotel

Serafima Andreeva (Fridtjof Nansen Institute) takes part in the interdisciplinary poster session.

Science Reception

Science | 19:00–22:00 | The Fram Centre

The Arctic Frontiers’ science networking reception panel discussion starts at 19:45 and is moderated by Andreas Østhagen (FNI).

Panel participants:

Camilla Brekke, Director, Norwegian Polar Institute
Mike Sfraga, Interim Chancellor, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Henry Burgess, Head, British NERC Arctic Office
Martin Fortier, Associate Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, Université Laval
Giuliana Panieri, Director, CNR Institute of Polar Sciences

Tuesday 3 February

Academia in times of geopolitical change

Arctic Frontiers side event | 15:30–17:00 | Margarinfabrikken, The Edge

How are academic freedom, research priorities and international collaboration affected by increased securitisation and geopolitical pressure, particularly in the Arctic?

Opening remarks by Sigrun Aasland, Minister of Research and Higher Education of Norway.

Speakers include:

Arild Moe, Research Professor, Fridtjof Nansen Institute
Jonas Stein, Vice Rector, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Camilla Brekke, Director, Norwegian Polar Institute
Tor Eldevik, Director, Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen

Hosted by: UiT The Arctic University of Norway; University of Bergen
Streaming available here.

An evening for partnerships in the North

Arctic Frontiers Open | 17:15–21:00 | Direksjonen (above Ølhallen), Tromsø

Fridtjof Nansen Institute takes part in Nordområdepartnerskapet’s open evening event, featuring talks and panel discussions on climate change, regional preparedness and cooperation in Northern Norway.

Introductory remarks:
Svein Vigeland Rottem (Fridtjof Nansen Institute)

Breaking with colonial practices and strengthening collaboration with Greenland
Fridtjof Nansens Institute contributed as facilitator and co-organiser of this open Arctic Frontiers seminar, featuring Aaja Chemnitz Greenlandic Member of the Danish Parliament, and contributions from, among others, Mike Sfraga, former US Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs.

Wednesday 4 February

Looking back, moving forward: 30 years of Nordic Arctic cooperation

Arctic Frontiers side event | 09:00–10:30 | Margarinfabrikken, The Edge

Thirty years after the launch of the first Nordic Arctic Cooperation Programme, this session reflects on achievements, current challenges and the future of Nordic collaboration in a more unstable Arctic.

Introductory remarks by Unni Kløvstad, Director, Nordic Council of Ministers and Eivind Vad Petersson, Vice Minister, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Panel:

Sara Olsvig, Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Council
Inga M. W. Nyhamar, Senior Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway
Lars Kullerud, President, University of the Arctic
Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, Minister of Industries, Iceland
Ole Martin Melbøe Nygård, Vice Chair, Barents Regional Youth Council

Moderator:

Svein Vigeland Rottem, Senior Researcher, Fridtjof Nansen Institute

Organiser: Nordic Council of Ministers

Streaming available here.

Pubinar: Thirty Years of Arctic Cooperation

Arctic Frontiers Open | 17:30–18:30 | Storgata Camping

An informal discussion on the Arctic Council’s role, experience and future, with high-level political and institutional perspectives.

Panel includes:

Vivian Motzfeldt, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Research of Greenland
Kenneth Høegh, Chair of Senior Arctic Officials, Kingdom of Denmark
Morten Høglund, former Arctic Council Chair, Norway
Benjamin Strong, Chair of the EPPR Working Group

Moderator:
Svein Vigeland Rottem (Fridtjof Nansen Institute)

Organised by: Fridtjof Nansen Institute, in cooperation with the Arctic Council and the Kingdom of Denmark Chairship

Thursday 5 February

Arctic Ocean 2050 – Official kick-off

Arctic Frontiers side event | 11:00–12:30 | Margarinfabrikken

The formal launch of Arctic Ocean 2050, a ten-year Norwegian research programme bringing together 18 research institutions to develop knowledge for future Arctic Ocean governance.

The programme includes contributions from early-career researchers and a panel discussion on knowledge, governance and stewardship of an Arctic Ocean expected to be ice-free in summer by mid-century.