Believes the Arctic Council Will Survive Oslo (High North News): The cooperation with Russia in the Arctic Council works, reports leaders in the council's working groups. Various voices are also optimistic in regard to the council's survival. "The council’s continued existence will be in everyone’s interest", says Norwegian top diplomat Morten Høglund.
Survey for Arctic Way Soon to Be Completed Bodø, Northern Norway (High North News): The seabed survey for the subsea cable Arctic Way will soon be completed. It will replace the old cable to Svalbard, but also establish a connection to Jan Mayen.
Norway Plans to Establish State Preparedness Hub Near the Border With Russia: "An Important Measure" The Norwegian government wants to strengthen preparedness and state presence in Eastern Finnmark, Northern Norway, with a new hub. This will boost Norway's ability to manage crises in the High North, believes Professor Natalia Andreassen.
Strengthens the Monitoring of GPS Interference in the High North The Norwegian government is establishing a new office for the Norwegian Communications Authority in Tromsø, Northern Norway. "It is important to strengthen security and preparedness in the High North through the increased presence of the authorities," says the Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance.
The Political Game Continues Even as the Distinction Between War and Peace Is Blurred Comment: They were supposed to utilize the whole country and create viable communities on the border with Russia. A powerful industry investment would replace measly measures in the so-called action zone. Well, that did not go according to plan. Even after the Norwegian government collapsed, the reversal of adopted policies continues.
The Political Game Continues Even as the Distinction Between War and Peace Is Blurred Comment: They were supposed to utilize the whole country and create viable communities on the border with Russia. A powerful industry investment would replace measly measures in the so-called action zone. Well, that did not go according to plan. Even after the Norwegian government collapsed, the reversal of adopted policies continues.
The Political Game Continues Even as the Distinction Between War and Peace Is Blurred Comment: They were supposed to utilize the whole country and create viable communities on the border with Russia. A powerful industry investment would replace measly measures in the so-called action zone. Well, that did not go according to plan. Even after the Norwegian government collapsed, the reversal of adopted policies continues.
Finland to Organize EU Leaders Summit in Lapland “Europe has to take greater responsibility for its own security," says Finland's PM Petteri Orpo. This weekend, he will host minister colleagues from EU countries and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in Northern Finland, near the border with Russia.
Arctic Emergency Management Conference: Responding to Emerging Challenges and Risks The Norwegian Chairship of the Arctic Council and Nord university will host the highly anticipated Arctic Emergency Management Conference in Bodø, in March of 2025.
Arctic Emergency Management Conference: Responding to Emerging Challenges and Risks The Norwegian Chairship of the Arctic Council and Nord university will host the highly anticipated Arctic Emergency Management Conference in Bodø, in March of 2025.
Arctic Emergency Management Conference: Responding to Emerging Challenges and Risks The Norwegian Chairship of the Arctic Council and Nord university will host the highly anticipated Arctic Emergency Management Conference in Bodø, in March of 2025.
Equinor Strengthens Preparedness in the Barents Sea Equinor will establish and operate a new area-wide emergency preparedness solution for the southwestern Barents Sea. The solution will add new resources, expertise, and capabilities to strengthen safety and emergency preparedness in this ocean area.
Icelandic Author Couple: Literature Allows Us To Explore Everything, Including the End of the World Harstad (High North News): "We Icelanders never prepare for anything," says the author couple Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir and Jón Kalman Stefánsson. They admire the Norwegian practical preparedness thinking but also remind us of the resistance power of traveling literature and maintain that a preparedness storage must also include a book and a ukulele.
High Noon 2024: Northern Debate on Youth, Preparedness, Democracy and Moral in the Arts Everything is set for the debate series High Noon during the Arctic Arts Festival in Northern Norway. This year's edition offers tunes from several young and up-and-coming artists – and various voices from Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. Among the primary guests is the critically acclaimed Icelandic writer Jón Kalman Stefánsson.
Finland to Explore Transition to European Track Gauge Finland's Minister of Transport and Communications, Lulu Ranne, says they will explore opportunities to upgrade the country's track gauge to the European standard. Such an upgrade would strengthen the railway connection to Norway and Sweden in the North.
Life on the Arctic Coast: In This Archipelago, Community Is the Most Important Preparedness Resource Helligvær (High North News): On the island of Helligvær in Northern Norway, one of the most valuable resources is community. The islanders trust each other, which is reflected in their preparedness plans.
What if 20,000 Soldiers Got Stuck Behind a Trailer on the Only Road Linking North and South? Commentary: It was a remarkable coincidence – as if someone had written a script and later taken direction. At the same moment as a US admiral took to the stage to warn against acute crises in the Arctic, my phone made an infernal noise.
It Is Time to Discard the District Policy in the North Commentary: As international tension increases in the North, national responsibility is weakened. According to a report on the preparedness in the North, it may be time to discard district policy as a device in the North " because it is serious now. "
Norwegian PM: Shares the Total Preparedness Commission's Understanding of Severity Bodø (High North News): "I agree with the Total Preparedness Commission that the situation is severe," says Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre. At the same time, he does not consider the situation acute and emphasizes a systematic, more long-term approach to preparedness in the North. Nor will he hand out war-preparatory leaflets à la the Swedish ones.
Shared Nordic Maritime Nuclear Safety Preparedness "Enhancing shared knowledge among rescue controllers and radiation protection authorities can be a key for better cooperation in operational settings between the Nordic countries", writes the researchers behind the nuclear safety exercise RNSARCARDS.
Finnmark Police: Increased Patrolling at Critical Infrastructure in the Petroleum Industry After the incidents in the Baltic Sea and observations made in the North Sea, the Finnmark Police has increased its presence around important infrastructure in the county's oil and gas industry by the border to Russia. Equinor has also taken its own security measures at its gas plant on Melkøya.
The Swedish Armed Forces Are Training to Strengthen Northern Sweden At Short Notice This week, the Swedish Armed Forces are testing their ability to quickly relocate northwards and solve combat tasks there. The exercise involves around 700 soldiers from different entities.
Expedition Vessel Ran Aground in Spitsbergen The expedition vessel MS Virgo with 20 persons onboard has ran aground in Fuglefjorden on northwestern Spitsbergen in Svalbard. No one is hurt, however, the ship leaks fuel.
Major Exercise in Svalbard: Preparing for Cruise Accident in the Arctic A cruise ship carrying 200 has shipwrecked far north in Svalbard waters. There are no roads, cabins or any other infrastructure nearby and rescuing as many people as possible as fast as possible is a matter of urgency. That is the scenario for a full-scale exercise off the coast of Svalbard.
Norway and Russia Exercising Together in the Barents Sea Norwegian and Russian preparedness resources are exercising together in the Barents Sea, practicing rescue at sea and oil pollution.
Tromsø Gets Ambulance Jet An EU agreement about ambulance jet planes is to strengthen health preparedness in Northern Norway and Svalbard.
