Locked Up in Washington, Murkowski Gave an Almost Absurd Insight Into American Madness Reykjavik (Comment): A deeply affected US Senator, Lisa Murkowski, spoke via videolink to 2,000 participants at the international Arctic Circle conference here in Reykjavik yesterday. She was supposed to be on stage, but instead showcased an involuntary digital demonstration of the madness of US politics.
Beate Has Researched the Arctic Conferences: “They Gather an Arctic Elite” Researcher Beate Steinveg at Nord University in Northern Norway has written her doctorate on the major Arctic conferences and their function in politics and research. "The conferences gather the same people, a kind of Arctic elite," she says.
US Researchers: Look to Norway for Insights on Managing the Relationship with Russia Reykjavik (High North News): "We can obtain better security in the Arctic by looking to Norway," says Michael Peterson, referring to the Norwegian clarity and predictability vis-à-vis Russia. Peterson is a professor at the US Naval War College.
The US Department of Defense Announces New Arctic Strategy in Early 2024 Reykjavik (High North News): The Pentagon's new Arctic strategy is scheduled to be launched at the beginning of next year, says Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Iris Ferguson at the Arctic Circle Assembly. She emphasizes that the overarching aim will still be to maintain peace and stability in the region.
The United Arab Emirates at the Arctic Circle: "Past Climate Promises Must Be Upheld" Reykjavik (High North News): "The Arctic is the front line of climate change in a very real sense. We must keep our eye on the Polar Star – the 1.5-degree target," says the United Arab Emirates' special envoy for climate and COP 28 President-Designate at the Arctic Circle Conference.
The Filming of Netflix´ Borgen in Greenland: Discovered How Little They Knew Greenlandic politician turned TV Star – Svend Hardenberg (53) – was initially hired by Netflix to show the Borgen production team Greenland's culture, nature, and politics and to provide real facts. "We showed them the real issues between Greenland and Denmark, resulting in parts of the script being rewritten," Hardenberg explains.
Change Is the New Normal, Humans Are the Only Constant (Commentary) Reykjavik: Next year, Norway will take over the Arctic Council leadership after Russia. That is to say, the plan is for Norway to take over this prestigious, international position. Perhaps it will not go like that after all. Resistance to giving the Arctic Council life without Russian participation could make the transition very demanding, if not impossible.
Investor Wants to Bring Peace and Prosperity to the Arctic “I want to help guide the economic development based on the people of the Arctic and ensure peace and prosperity,” explains American investor Scott Minerd as he launched the brand new Reykjavik-based think tankThe Minerd Institution for Arctic Peace and Prosperity.
Greenland Wants to Take the Lead: "We Have to Pick the Right Friends" “The focus on Greenland has increased and with that, conflict”, says Danish MP Aaja Chemnitz Larsen (IA) to High North News.
Arctic Circle: Over 400 Speakers will Address more than 1,000 Participants from 40 Countries The world is slowly returning back to normal and the Arctic Circle 2021 conference will take place in the same format as in previous years.
Novatek Plans Wind Farm to Power Arctic Circle LNG Plant Novatek plans to build a wind farm to reduce the carbon footprint of a liquefied natural gas plant in the Arctic Circle.
Arctic Circle Launches Global Climate Award A new global climate award of EUR 100,000 will be awarded to action-oriented scientific initiatives to improve and reverse the dramatic effects of climate change in a concrete way.
2021 Will be Another Year With Mostly Digital Arctic Conferences "The good meetings that take place in person, whether it is over a cup of coffee, or sitting down one-on-one with somebody, those are lost. And I look forward to these meetings once the pandemic is over", says Anu Fredrikson, Executive Director of Arctic Frontiers.
Republican Senator: Expects Climate Change as US Arctic Policy Priority with Biden Administration Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski says the issue of climate change most likely will be back on U.S. Arctic agenda if democrats wins U.S. Presidential Election.
An American Threat to the High North Reykjavik:Protectionism and trade war are like poison to Arctic commerce. If the executioner Donald Trump is allowed to continue his crusade against the rest of the world, it might hit us with strong force. The High North may change from being the engine of international economics to becoming a victim of a nationalistic egotism hardly anyone saw coming.
Putin: "The Maritime Delimitation Treaty with Norway is an Example to Follow" Arkhangelsk (High North News): Finland promises to lift Arctic cooperation to a new level when they take over the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. The delimitation treaty between Norway and Russia is held up as a model when Finland launches the slogan "Exploring Common Solutions".
