How is indigenous sovereignty articulated within national, regional, and international legal frameworks in the Arctic?

Joining the conversation are:

• Mona Fortier, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada
• Sara Olsvig, International Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council
• Jessica Veldstra, Executive Director of the Aleut International Association
• Federico Lenzerini, Professor of International Law, University of Siena in Italy

The Session is moderated by Sara Riccetti Selim, Analyst at the Centro Studi Italia-Canada.

This discussion was recorded live at the Arctic Circle Rome Forum — Polar Dialogue, held March 3rd–4th, 2026.

Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. 

Learn more about Arctic Circle at www.ArcticCircle.org or contact us at [email protected]

TWITTER:
@_Arctic_Circle

FACEBOOK:
The Arctic Circle

INSTAGRAM:
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Why is the Arctic gaining political relevance on the world stage? What threats and opportunities are consolidating and emerging, and how do Arctic dynamics interconnect with the rest of the world?

Joining the conversation are:

• Claude Véron-Réville, EU Special Envoy for Arctic Matters
• Agostino Pinna, Special Envoy for the Arctic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy
• Kenneth Høegh, Arctic Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials of the Arctic Council
• Andreas Østhagen, Research Director for Arctic and Ocean Politics, Fridtjof Nansen Institute in Norway

The Session is moderated by Michele Valensise, President of the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) in Italy.

This discussion was recorded live at the Arctic Circle Rome Forum — Polar Dialogue, held March 3rd–4th, 2026.

Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. 

Learn more about Arctic Circle at www.ArcticCircle.org or contact us at [email protected]

TWITTER:
@_Arctic_Circle

FACEBOOK:
The Arctic Circle

INSTAGRAM:
arctic_circle_org

As interest in Arctic resources grows, so do the questions surrounding their extraction: who benefits, who bears the risks, and what are the security implications of opening the Arctic to mining?

Joining the conversation are:

• Rachael Lorna Johnstone, Professor, University of Akureyri, Iceland
• Anna Karlsdóttir, Associate Professor, University of Iceland
• Alexandra Middleton, Assistant Professor, University of Oulu, Finland
• Gabriela Argüello, Associate Senior Lecturer, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

This discussion was recorded live at the Arctic Circle Rome Forum — Polar Dialogue, held March 3rd–4th, 2026.

Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. 

Learn more about Arctic Circle at www.ArcticCircle.org or contact us at [email protected]

TWITTER:
@_Arctic_Circle

FACEBOOK:
The Arctic Circle

INSTAGRAM:
arctic_circle_org

What is the current status of indigenous rights and self-determination in the Arctic? And where must progress move faster, particularly when it comes to climate change and its devastating impact on indigenous communities?

Joining the conversation are:

• Sara Olsvig, International Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council
• Jessica Veldstra, Executive Director of the Aleut International Association
• Per-Olof Nutti, President of the Saami Council

The Session is moderated by Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Chair of the Arctic Circle Polar Dialogue and Former Prime Minister of Iceland.

This discussion was recorded live at the Arctic Circle Rome Forum - Polar Dialogue, held March 3rd–4th, 2026.

Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. 

Learn more about Arctic Circle at www.ArcticCircle.org or contact us at [email protected]

TWITTER:
@_Arctic_Circle

FACEBOOK:
The Arctic Circle

INSTAGRAM:
arctic_circle_org

How does the European Union position itself in the Arctic? And what is its role in keeping the region safe and stable, promoting international cooperation, and supporting sustainable and inclusive development?

Joining the conversation is Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans of the European Commission.

The Session is moderated by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of Arctic Circle and Former President of Iceland.

This discussion was recorded live at the Arctic Circle Rome Forum - Polar Dialogue, held March 3rd–4th, 2026.

Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. 

Learn more about Arctic Circle at www.ArcticCircle.org or contact us at [email protected]

TWITTER:
@_Arctic_Circle

FACEBOOK:
The Arctic Circle

INSTAGRAM:
arctic_circle_org

Is geoengineering going to save the world or risk precipitating further climate crises by interfering with nature? And what international frameworks are needed to ensure it is both responsibly governed and genuinely useful?

Joining the conversation are:

• Dalee Sambo Dorough, Senior Scholar at the University of Alaska Anchorage
• Shaun Fitzgerald, Director of the Centre for Climate Repair at the University of Cambridge
• Mark Symes, Programme Director at ARIA — Advanced Research and Invention Agency

The Session is moderated by Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Chair of the Arctic Circle Polar Dialogue and Former Prime Minister of Iceland.

This discussion was recorded live at the Arctic Circle Rome Forum - Polar Dialogue, held March 3rd–4th, 2026.

Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. 

Learn more about Arctic Circle at www.ArcticCircle.org or contact us at [email protected]

TWITTER:
@_Arctic_Circle

FACEBOOK:
The Arctic Circle

INSTAGRAM:
arctic_circle_org

What is Finland's perspective and role amidst the evolving security dynamics in the Arctic? And how is Finland approaching the twin challenges of climate change and the pursuit of sustainable solutions in the region?

Joining the conversation is Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland.

The Session is moderated by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of Arctic Circle and Former President of Iceland.

This discussion was recorded live at the Arctic Circle Rome Forum - Polar Dialogue, held March 3rd–4th, 2026.

Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. 

Learn more about Arctic Circle at www.ArcticCircle.org or contact us at [email protected]

TWITTER:
@_Arctic_Circle

FACEBOOK:
The Arctic Circle

INSTAGRAM:
arctic_circle_org

In what ways is connectivity fundamental for development and prosperity in the Arctic region?

Joining the conversation are:

• Sanni N. Breining, Chief Economist at Ramboll Consulting, Denmark
• Tómas Ingason, Chief Commercial Officer at Icelandair
• Jóhanna á Bergi, CEO of Atlantic Airways
• Nauja Bianco, Member of the Board of Directors of Greenland Resources Inc., Canada, and Director of Isuma Consulting, Greenland

The Session is moderated by Ásdís Pétursdottir, Director Communications & Sustainability at Icelandair.

This discussion was recorded live at the Arctic Circle Business Forum, held October 16th to 17th during the 2025 Arctic Circle Assembly, in Reykjavík, Iceland.

Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. 

Learn more about Arctic Circle at www.ArcticCircle.org or contact us at [email protected]

TWITTER:
@_Arctic_Circle

FACEBOOK:
The Arctic Circle

INSTAGRAM:
arctic_circle_org

How can we effectively foster international cooperation in studying the ice-covered parts of the world, from the Arctic and Antarctic to the glaciers of the Himalayas?

Joining the conversation is Senator Musadik Masood Malik, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination of Pakistan.

The Session is moderated by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of Arctic Circle and Former President of Iceland.

This discussion was recorded live at the Arctic Circle Rome Forum - Polar Dialogue, held March 3rd–4th, 2026.

Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. 

Learn more about Arctic Circle at www.ArcticCircle.org or contact us at [email protected]

TWITTER:
@_Arctic_Circle

FACEBOOK:
The Arctic Circle

INSTAGRAM:
arctic_circle_org

How do we chart a way forward to tackle the defining challenges facing the Arctic Ocean, one of the most fragile and contested regions on Earth?

Joining the conversation are:

• Ambassador Peter Thomson, United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean
• Ambassador Olivier Poivre d'Arvor, Special Envoy of French President Emmanuel Macron for Oceans and Poles
• Louie Porta, Director of the Arctic Ocean Initiative at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
• Dr. Mere Takoko, CEO of the Pacific Whale Fund, New Zealand, and Executive Board Member of the Moananui Sanctuary Trust, New Zealand

The Session is moderated by Ambassador David Balton, Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Arctic Initiative, and Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries at the US Department of State.

This discussion was recorded live during the 2025 Arctic Circle Assembly, in Reykjavík, Iceland.

Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. 

Learn more about Arctic Circle at www.ArcticCircle.org or contact us at [email protected]

TWITTER:
@_Arctic_Circle

FACEBOOK:
The Arctic Circle

INSTAGRAM:
arctic_circle_org