The Arctic Circle Podcast

How is the triple planetary crisis affecting the Arctic and the rest of the world? And how can the Arctic take a leadership role in tackling these global challenges?

The conversation is introduced by Andrea Hinwood, Chief Scientist at the United Nations Environment Programme, and continues with a panel discussion featuring:

• Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, Vice-Chair of the IPCC;
• Sara Olsvig, International Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC); and
• Vicki Lee Wallgren, Director of the WWF Global Arctic Program.

The session is moderated by Rolf Rødven, Executive Secretary of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP).

This discussion was recorded live at the 2025 Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík, Iceland, from October 16th to 18th.

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 present and future of Arctic investment?

Joining the conversation are:

• Jeanette Vitasp, CFA, Vice President, and Head of Lending at the Nordic Investment Bank;
• Benedikt Gíslason, CEO of Arion Bank.

The Session is moderated by Friðrika Geirsdóttir, Director of the Arctic Circle Business Forum.

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

What is Italy’s connection, role, and engagement in the Arctic across research, science, diplomacy, security, and education?

The session is introduced by Ásgerður Ólöf Ásgeirsdóttir, Managing Director of Arctic Circle, and continues with a speech by Isabella Rauti, Deputy Minister at the Italian Ministry of Defence, introducing the Arctic Circle Rome Forum – Polar Dialogue, taking place on March 3rd and 4th, 2026, in Rome, Italy.

This speech was recorded live at the 2025 Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík, Iceland, from October 16th to 18th.

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 business know-how and Indigenous knowledge be combined to create better solutions, taking the Canadian Arctic as an example?

Joining the conversation are:

• Ethan Lavallée, Business Development Officer at Da Daghay Development Corporation (DDDC), Canada;
• Benjamin Scott, Director of EntrepreNorth and Chairperson of Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation, Canada;
• Xina Cowan, Co-Director of EntrepreNorth, Canada.

The Session is moderated by Xavier Rodriguez, Senior Trade Commissioner and Public Affairs Officer at the Embassy of Canada to Iceland.

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

What are the key priorities for the 5th International Polar Year, 2032–33? And why is this process so crucial for the polar regions and the world?

Joining the conversation are:

• Herb Nakimayak, Vice Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council International and President of Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada;
• Salvatore Aricò, Chief Executive Officer of the International Science Council;
• Amanda Lynch, Chair of the Research Board at the World Meteorological Organization and Lindemann Distinguished Professor at Brown University;
• Gary Wilson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of Waikato, New Zealand and President of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research.

The session is moderated by Henry Burgess, Head of the NERC Arctic Office at the British Antarctic Survey, President of the International Arctic Science Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Arctic Circle Polar Dialogue.

This discussion was recorded live at the 2025 Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík, Iceland, from October 16th to 18th.

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 does the future of energy and natural resources hold for Greenland? And how can differing expectations be managed to ensure that business opportunities benefit local communities?

Joining the conversation is Naaja H. Nathanielsen, Greenland’s Minister for Business, Energy, Natural Resources, Justice and Equality. This session includes an open Q&A with the audience moderated by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of Arctic Circle and former President of Iceland.

This Session 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

What does a resilient Arctic look like? What are the challenges and opportunities when it comes to energy security in the region? And how are Arctic nations navigating these transformations in communities, industries, and ecosystems?

The conversation is introduced by H.E. Karen Ellemann, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, and continues with a panel discussion featuring:

• H.E. Naaja H. Nathanielsen, Greenland’s Minister for Business and Energy
• H.E. Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, Iceland’s Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate
• Honor. Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs & Minister Responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
• Claude Véron-Réville, EU Special Envoy for Arctic Matters

Moderating is Patti Bruns, Secretary General of the Arctic Mayors’ Forum.

This Session was recorded live at the 2025 Arctic Circle Assembly, held in Reykjavík, Iceland, from October 16th to 18th.

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 nexus between geopolitics, deep tech innovation, strategic security, and markets? And how do these dynamics shape the future of the Arctic region, including when it comes to business opportunities?

Joining the conversation is Pippa Malmgren, CEO and Founder of the Geopolitica Institute and Strategic Advisor at C10 Labs, USA.

This Session 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

What does the future of science look like in a rapidly changing Arctic? And how can global scientific collaboration advance climate resilience and sustainable solutions?

Joining the conversation are:

• Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, President, World Meteorological Organization
• Professor Dame Angela McLean, UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser
• Professor John Holdren, Co-Chair of the Harvard Kennedy School's Arctic Initiative; and Science Advisor for President Obama & Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (2009-2017)

Moderating was Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland 2017-2024; and Chair of the Arctic Circle Polar Dialogue.

This Session was recorded live at the 2025 Arctic Circle Assembly, held in Reykjavík, Iceland, from October 16th to 18th.

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 factors determine the viability and vulnerability of Arctic opportunities? And how should these considerations shape investments, planning, and operations in the region?

Joining the conversation are:

• Niels Clemensen, CEO of Royal Arctic Line
• Seong-Yeob Jeong, Principal Researcher at the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO)
• Margaret D. Williams, Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Arctic Initiative
• James Davies, CEO of Davie Shipbuilding

Moderating was James Gamble, Senior Director of the Arctic Program at Pacific Environment, USA.

This Session 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