RECONCILING SECURITY, DEVELOPMENT, AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE TRANSPOLAR ARCTIC

Co-hosted by:

• Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic
• UN Global Compact Norge
• High North Center

Duration: 90 minutes

About the Event

How can security imperatives, economic ambitions, and sustainability goals coexist in the rapidly changing transpolar Arctic? This session invites an open dialogue among policymakers, government representatives, business leaders, scientists, and local stakeholders to explore the balance between these often competing priorities.

As geopolitical tensions rise and investments in defense and preparedness increase, sustainability concerns risk being overshadowed. Through keynote presentations and panel discussions, the event examines critical trade-offs and potential pathways toward aligning security, development, and environmental stewardship in the Arctic region.

Event Objectives

• Explore how security, economic, and sustainability priorities can be reconciled in the transpolar Arctic
• Identify key trade-offs, tensions, and opportunities for collaboration
• Foster dialogue between business, policy, and scientific communities
• Generate actionable insights for a resilient and sustainable Arctic future