Norway’s Army Chief: No Practical Indications That the US Is Less Interested in Norway Tromsø, Northern Norway (High North News): Donald Trump has created uncertainty around the US security guarantee, but the practical defense cooperation with the Americans is stable, according to the Chief of the Norwegian Army. Next year's major winter exercise in the High North is expected to have significant US participation.
Norway's High North Strategy: NOK 1 Billion For Polar Research Tromsø, Northern Norway (High North News): Norway's biggest research project,Arctic Ocean 2050, will be fully funded over the course of ten years, promised Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre on Tuesday. "A fantastic boost for Norwegian and international polar research," responds the Rector at UiT the Arctic University of Norway.
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.
Arctic Council Chairship Handover: “We Must Move Forward With Courage,” Says Greenlandic Foreign Minister Tromsø, Northern Norway (High North News): The Kingdom of Denmark, spearheaded by Greenland, has taken over the chairship of the Arctic Council. The eight Arctic states have also agreed on a joint statement. "The Council must continue to be the foremost forum for cooperation in the Arctic," underlines Greenland's foreign minister.
Ministerial Visit in the High North: Norway and Italy to Strengthen Space Cooperation The Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry recently received two Italian ministers in Northern Norway. Going forward, the countries will strengthen their cooperation on space activities and critical raw materials.
Greenlandic Top Politician On Trump: "You Cannot Own or Control, but Have a Partnership" Tromsø (High North News): "We need stability now," says Aaja Chemnitz, Greenlandic Member of the Danish Parliament. Together with Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, she states that the US must consider Greenland an ally, not an asset.
Norway, Finland, and Sweden: Discussing New Cooperation Structure in the High North Tromsø (High North News): State secretaries of Norway, Finland, and Sweden have been mandated to start designing a new framework for northern Nordic cooperation. "We have a shared interest in finding a joint answer to this," says the Norwegian Foreign Minister.
Norway’s Arctic University Museum to Be Located in Tromsø City Centre "This is the starting point for a brand new museum building which will have great significance for Tromsø as a knowledge city," says Oddmund Hoel, Norwegian Minister of Research and Higher Education.
Tromsø Sàmi House Opened: "A Sàmi Haven Where We Can Face Challenges Together" The Sámi House in Tromsø, Northern Norway, has been inaugurated. To heal the damage of Norwegianization, it is crucial to have meeting places for Sámi people to develop their language, culture, and identity, says Silje Karine Muotka, President of the Sámi Parliament.
NATO’s New Northern Flank: Norway’s Army Chief Expects Great Responsibility Tromsø (High North News): The bulk of Sweden and Finland's army forces are located in the south, while most of Norway’s land forces are in the north. "These conditions will likely be important in further developing our cooperation," says the Chief of the Norwegian Army, pointing to new requirements and opportunities.
Norway's MFA on All the Nordics in NATO: "The Significance Hasn't Quite Hit Us Yet" Tromsø (High North News): With the new Nordic security policy community and close defense cooperation follows great opportunities for more interaction between Norway, Finland and Sweden also in other areas of society. "We have to learn how to take advantage of this," says Norwegian MFA Espen Barth Eide.
Norwegian-Russian Irina Collaborates with Arctic Philharmonic to Create Sami and Kven Children's Music Bodø (High North News): The Arctic Philharmonic is investing in Sami and Kven music. Norwegian-Russian Irina Girunyan is part of the initiative and will compose a piece for children. "It feels very right."
Norway to Invest in Defense-Oriented Science and Innovation in the North Development of defense-related technology and knowledge in Northern Norway is underway as part of the government's new long-term plan for the Armed Forces. “This will increase the ability for defense, security and preparedness in the region,” says Norwegian MoD.
US Department of Homeland Security on New Visit in Tromsø: Seeking Arctic Knowledge Dimitri Kusnezov at the US Department of Homeland Security was recently in Tromsø, Northern Norway, for the second time in less than a year. At UiT, he was introduced to a wide range of Arctic research. Kusnezov says the department wants insight into how the world and the Arctic region appear, as seen from Norway.
Wants to Establish Northern Norway Office to Manage State Fund The Norwegian Ministry of Finance wants to establish a state fund in Tromsø and suggests that the fund should manage NOK 15 billion. This could contribute to positive ripple effects for growth and business development in Northern Norway, says MoF Vedum (Center).
Tromsø Will Be the First Arctic European Youth Capital Tromsø in Northern Norway has been awarded the title of European Youth Capital 2026 with the concept "True North". "We will show that young people from the Arctic are of key strategic importance for Europe," says Luna Drecker, leader of the Tromsø Youth Council.
US Embassy Reopened Office in Northern Norway After Almost 30 Years On Friday, the US Embassy reopened the Tromsø office after nearly 30 years. The climate crisis is the biggest challenge, says US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Elizabeth M. Allen.
Frequent Submarine Calls in Tromsø – New US Nuclear Submarine on Logistical Stop On Monday, the American submarine USS Washington docked in the Port of Grøtsund, Tromsø in Northern Norway. This is the eighth allied submarine visit at the port this year – and takes place shortly after the call of USS Florida, as well as the French submarine FNS Améthyste.
“Security in the Arctic is of Greatest Interest to France,” says French Commander The French Navy's nuclear submarine and support vessel which recently docked in Tromsø, Northern Norway, have carried out long-term missions in the North Atlantic. This shows France's allied commitment to security in northern areas and desire to learn more about them, asserts French Commander.
USA's Largest Icebreaker to Northern Norway in October The US's largest coast guard ship and icebreaker,USCGC Healy, will arrive in Tromsø at the beginning of October.
USA's Largest Icebreaker to Northern Norway in October The US's largest coast guard ship and icebreaker,USCGC Healy, will arrive in Tromsø at the beginning of October.
One of US’ Largest Nuclear Submarines Docked in Tromsø A US nuclear-powered submarine docked in Tromsø, Northern Norway, on Thursday. The submarine is of the Ohio-class, the largest submarines in the US Navy.
Four US Senators Met Arctic Stakeholders in Northern Norway Four US Senators travelled to the Norwegian Arctic to meet with Arctic stakeholders. “There is a growing interest in the Arctic from policy makers around the world", says Director of the Arctic Economic Council Mads Qvist Frederiksen.
Tenth Visit by American Submarines in Grøtsund, Tromsø On Monday, an American submarine docked in the Port of Grøtsund, Tromsø. The US destroyer Thomas Hudner has also recently docked at a port in this city. Perhaps the submarine is, as the destroyer, part of the US Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group.
The Norwegian MFA Creates Position in Tromsø in Connection With the Arctic Council Chairship Norway took over the chairship of the Arctic Council earlier in May. Now, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is establishing a project position for the chairship period in Tromsø, Northern Norway.
Finland Explores New Direction for Its Arctic Policy Finland wants to update its Arctic policy following the war in Ukraine and will kick off the debate during Arctic Frontiers in Tromsø, Northern Norway, next week.
Will Consider How State Asset Management Can Be Established in Northern Norway On Monday, Norway's Minister of Finance launched a working group that will investigate the structure and investment universe for a new state asset management unit in Tromsø, Northern Norway. "A game changer which will have major ripple effects across the High North," says the city's mayor.
New American Submarine Docking in Tromsø On Friday, a new American submarine arrived at Grøtsund port just outside Tromsø. This is the fifth Allied submarine docking at the port this year.
First British Nuclear Submarine Docking in Tromsø The British Navy’s nuclear submarine HMS Ambush is currently docked at Grøtsund port just outside Tromsø, after having operated in Norwegian waters for the past month. The Navy claims it wants to familiarize itself with Norwegian facilities for submarines in the Arctic.
The US Continues Training in Northern Norway: Large Aircraft Carrier Arrives in Tromsø The allied winter training continues in Northern Norway with forces from the US Marine Corps. "For Norway, this is a very important allied unit", says Lieutenant General Yngve Odlo, Chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters.
American Nuclear-Fueled Submarine Docking in Tromsø, Norway for Supplies The USS Washington sailed in from the north and Tuesday morning emerged between Arnøya and Vannøya islands, from where it was escorted to a nearby port with assistance from the Coast Guard and the Coastal Marine Command, as well as civilian tugboats.
Arctic Frontiers Postponed Until Spring due to Corona Situation “There is a great need to meet within the pan-Arctic cooperation. And after two years of pandemic, we want to spend our resources creating a physical meeting place”, says Arctic Frontiers Director Anu Fredrikson.
The High North Tour 2021: What Happened to Substance Abusers during the Pandemic? Tromsø: When the pandemic hit Norway, there were particular fears about one group being extra hard hit. Substance abusers with underlying conditions were particularly at risk. In addition, shut borders would lead to a pike in drug prices which, in return, would lead to a surge in petty crime.
“The Security Situation in Northern Norway is Significantly Different from That in the South” If the Norwegian Ministry of Defense has its way, nuclear-powered American submarines will be allowed to dock in Tønsnes, near Tromsø. Tromsø municipality, however, disagrees. “There is clearly a failure in civilian-military cooperation here”, says Professor Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv at the University of Tromsø.
Tromsø Gets Ambulance Jet An EU agreement about ambulance jet planes is to strengthen health preparedness in Northern Norway and Svalbard.
Updated Corona in the Arctic: Far Fewer Travel from South to North High North News continues its update about the spreading of the coronavirus in the Arctic. Far fewer trips are carried out from south to north in Norway after several municipalities in northern Norway introduced extra quarantine measures. – What we know is that traffic in the north has been reduced significantly. We do not know what the situation would have been if these measures had not been implemented, says Mayor Gunnar Wilhelmsen to High North News.
In Visit to Arctic Region, PA Leadership Explores Local and Global Impact of Climate Change In a series of seminars and field visits in Tromsø and Svalbard, Memberswere sensitized to the severe disruptions to the Arctic environment caused by a rise of temperatures in the region.
Parliamentary Delegation Visits Norway to address Climate Change A delegation of parliamentarians from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe visits Nothern Norway this week.
