Centre for the ocean and the arctic at arctic frontiers 2026
From 2–5 February, Arctic Frontiers brings together key voices from research, politics, business, and local and Indigenous communities in Tromsø for comprehensive discussions on the future of the Arctic.
The Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic will take an active part in Arctic Frontiers 2026, hosting two side events of its own and contributing to a wide range of other academic and policy-related sessions. Taken together, this participation illustrates how the Centre works at the intersection of research, policy, and practice on issues relating to the ocean, the Arctic, and global governance.
This year’s theme is Turn the Tide, highlighting how the Arctic is at the centre of powerful political, economic, and environmental currents – and how these can be addressed through cooperation, transformation, and decisive action. Through the conference’s Big Picture Sessions, topics such as geopolitics, security, space technology, infrastructure, economic transition, and the experiences of coastal communities are explored. The aim is to understand where developments are heading and how we can collectively help steer them in a more sustainable and equitable direction.
Our activities at Arctic Frontiers 2026
Friday 30 January: Science for Schools – young people meet Arctic research
Even before the conference officially begins, the Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic helps kick off Arctic Frontiers week by taking part in Science for Schools. This is an outreach programme for lower and upper secondary schools in Tromsø, designed to spark young people’s curiosity about research and Arctic issues.
The programme is organised by Arctic Frontiers in cooperation with the The Science Centre of Northern Norway, and gives pupils the opportunity to meet researchers, explore Arctic topics, and gain insight into how knowledge is developed and applied in addressing future challenges.
Time: Friday 30 January, 10.00
Venue: The Science Centre of Northern Norway
Participants
Monday 2 February: High Seas Biodiversity Conservation and Use in the Arctic
High Seas Biodiversity Conservation and Use in the Arctic is a side event organised by the Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic and UiT The Arctic University of Norway. The event focuses on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement and the potential implications for regional governance in the Arctic.
The panel will discuss how the new agreement can be applied in the Arctic, the possible establishment of marine protected areas in the Central Arctic Ocean, and how the agreement interacts with existing institutions and cooperation frameworks, in a geopolitical situation where not all key actors are participating.
Time: Monday 2 February, 15.30
Venue: Arbeidskontoret 2, The Edge
Participants
Tuesday 3 February: Pan-Arctic Coexistence – Balancing Growth and Conservation along the Coasts
At the invitation of Arctic Frontiers, the Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic will take part in a closed roundtable discussion on coexistence and shared use of natural resources in Arctic coastal and marine areas. The discussion takes a pan-Arctic perspective and brings together participants from the Nordic countries, Greenland, Canada, and the United States.
The discussion will examine how considerations of growth and value creation can be balanced with nature conservation and environmental protection in the context of the green transition.
By invitation only.
Participants
Tuesday 3 February: Reconciling Security, Development, and Sustainability in the Transpolar Arctic
At a time of increasing geopolitical tension in the High North, the Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic, in cooperation with UN Global Compact Norway, is organising a highly topical session on one of the Arctic’s most challenging issues: how heightened security needs can be reconciled with ambitions for sustainable development.
The event brings together decision-makers, military actors, businesses, and researchers to discuss real trade-offs between defence, value creation, and environmental considerations – and the choices that will shape a resilient and sustainable Arctic in the years ahead.
Time: Tuesday 3 February, 15.30–17.30
Venue: Importkompaniet, The Edge
Participants
Wednesday 4 February: Under pressure – strategic dialogue and networking
Following the side event Reconciling Security, Development, and Sustainability in the Transpolar Arctic, the Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic, in cooperation with UN Global Compact Norway, invites leaders and key specialists to a closed and targeted meeting.
The gathering focuses on complex trade-offs between security, value creation, and sustainability in a time marked by geopolitical uncertainty, regulatory pressure, and rising societal expectations, and facilitates open dialogue, experience-sharing, and network-building.
By invitation only.
Participants
Thursday 5 February: Self-sufficiency to Energy Leaders: Arctic Solutions for an Energy Secure Region
Organised by Nordic Energy Research, Troms County Council, and Tromsø Municipality, this side event features the Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic as moderator. The session highlights how preparedness and resilience are integral to societal development in the Arctic.
Drawing on experiences from Arctic local communities, the discussion explores which lessons can be transferred to other parts of the Nordic region, which are increasingly facing complex and interconnected challenges.
Time: Thursday 5 February, 09.00
Venue: Arbeidskontoret 1, The Edge
Participants
Thursday 5 February: Blue Economy in a Nordic Perspective
Organised by Nordic Innovation, this side event focuses on how the Arctic, with its vast marine and coastal areas, plays a central role in the development of a rapidly growing ocean economy.
Through expert presentations and panel discussions, the session explores how the region can prepare for increased activity at sea, intensified conflicts of interest, and new value chains – and which strategic choices are required to ensure a sustainable and resilient ocean economy in the North.
Time: Thursday 5 February, 11.00–12.30
Venue: Arbeidskontoret 2, The Edge
Participants
