Security as the main theme in Rovaniemi Arctic Spirit Conference

A major conference on Arctic security and its various elements will be held in Rovaniemi, 5–7 May. The Rovaniemi Arctic Spirit international conference will attract around 250 participants.

The Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland and the City of Rovaniemi have organized a series of biennial conferences since 2013, which have developed into the leading Arctic event in Finland.

– This time, the interest in the conference has been exceptionally high, says Markku Heikkilä, Head of Science Communications at the Arctic Centre, who has led the organization. The audience includes diplomats, experts, researchers, regional representatives and business representatives. 

The international geopolitical situation is tense, and a week after the conference, Denmark will take over the chairmanship of the Arctic Council. Regional cooperation in the North is facing new pressures and needs, while climate change continues to accelerate.

– These developments are often seen in isolation. At this event, we will try to approach the different elements of security comprehensively , says Heikkilä. A new feature of this conference is the strong focus on business and regional actors, together with our Norwegian partners. This will contribute to more encounters between different actors and increase the regional relevance of the event, Heikkilä underlines.

The conference, which will be held in Korundi and Arktikum, will discuss issues such as logistics and infrastructure needs in the changing security situation in the North, climate security, the state of Arctic cooperation, the geopolitical situation, climate interventions and China's role in the Arctic. 

Conference website: www.rovaniemiarcticspirit.fi

More information:

Markku Heikkilä, Head of science communications, Arctic Centre
040 4844300, markku.heikkila@ulapland.fi