The Arctic Circle Podcast

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 Ragn...

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. Na...

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...

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 Sch...

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 H...

What does it mean to live responsibly on this planet? How can we, as humans, nurture a lasting relationship with nature and protect our environment for future generations? Joining the conversation is Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado of Japan . Her remarks are followed by an open Q&A with the audience, moderated by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of Arctic Circle and former President of...

Today, we take a throwback to Glacial Resonance by Nefúr, which transported the audience through immersive soundscapes inspired by the Arctic’s beauty and fragility. This performance 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....

Today, iDJa takes over the Arctic Circle Podcast to present Gaskačázis (“Middle of the Sky”), a fusion of traditional Sámi music and contemporary electronic sounds. This performance 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. I...

Today, Kali Armstrong & Friends offer a moving musical break in this podcast series. Flight of Fancy evokes the spirit of exploration and the human drive to reach beyond the known. This performance 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 fut...

What are Norway’s foreign and defense policy priorities in today’s Arctic? And what role does Norway play in Arctic relations and governance? Joining the conversation are Maria Varteressian , then State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Andreas Flåm , State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Defence. The open Q&A with the audience is moderated by Ólafur Ragnar Grí...

What does it mean to be at the geographic and geopolitical crossroads of Europe, North America, and the Arctic? And what role do the Faroe Islands envision playing in the Arctic and the world? Joining the conversation is Aksel Vilhelmson Johannesen , Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands. His remarks are followed by an open Q&A with the audience, moderated by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of...

What is Finland’s vision for a peaceful, stable, and sustainable Arctic amid the current geopolitical and strategic tensions in the region? And how is Finland working to integrate Arctic perspectives into Europe’s and NATO’s collective security, defense, and deterrence strategies? Joining the conversation is Elina Valtonen , Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland. Her remarks are followed by an o...

What role does Iceland have to play in Arctic security and stability? And how is the country addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in the region? Joining the conversation is Kristrún Frostadóttir , Prime Minister, Iceland. This Q&A with audience is moderated by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of Arctic Circle and former President of Iceland. This Session was recorded live at the 20...

What is Canada’s approach and policy in the Arctic, and how important are partnerships in advancing these priorities? Joining the conversation is Hon. Rebecca Chartrand , Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs & Minister Responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. Her speech is followed by an open Q&A with the audience moderated by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman o...

What is the role and importance of space in and for the Arctic? How are the Arctic and space sectors connected, and what opportunities does the growth of the space industry present for the region? Joining the conversation are: Nettie La Belle-Hamer , Deputy Director for Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA Troels Sandreid , President of Andøya Spaceport Pippa Malmgren ,...

What are Greenland’s vision and priorities in the Arctic and the world? And how is the government addressing opportunities and challenges in the region? Joining the conversation are: Vivian Motzfeldt , Greenland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research Naaja H. Nathanielsen , Greenland’s Minister for Business, Energy, Natural Resources, Justice and Equality Nivi Olsen , Greenland’s Minister for...

What are Denmark’s vision and priorities in the Arctic? And how is the country addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in the region? Joining the conversation is Lars Løkke Rasmussen , Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark. His remarks are followed by an open Q&A with Jonas Bering Liisberg , State Secretary for European Affairs and the Arctic of Denmark, and moderated by Ólafur Ragn...

How is the Arctic Council functioning in today’s geopolitical context? And what is the blueprint under the Kingdom of Denmark’s Chairship for 2025–2027? Joining the conversation are: Kenneth Høegh , Arctic Ambassador, Kingdom of Denmark; Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials, Arctic Council Gunn-Britt Retter , Head of Arctic and Environmental Unit, Saami Council Moderating is Katrín Jakobsdóttir, P...

What opportunities and challenges does mining in Greenland present, and how can the interests of local communities, industry, and the environment be balanced? Joining the conversation are: Sara Olsvig , International Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC); Head of Delegation to the Arctic Council Naja Dyrendom Graugaard , Assistant Professor, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Nauja Bianco , Member...

What are NATO’s strategic priorities in the Arctic, and how is the Alliance responding to evolving security challenges in the region? Joining the conversation is Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone , Chair of the NATO Military Committee. His remarks are followed by an open Q&A with the audience moderated by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of Arctic Circle and former President of Iceland. This Sessi...

How will shipbuilding - and the next generation of icebreakers - help keep the Arctic open, safe, and connected for research, trade, security, and the people who call the region home? Joining the conversation is James Davies , CEO of Davie Shipbuilding, with Friðrika Geirsdóttir, Director of the Arctic Circle Business Forum, as moderator. This Session was recorded live at the Arctic Circle Busines...

What should be the United States’ priorities, responsibilities, and engagement in the Arctic? Joining the conversation are U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski and U.S. Senator Angus King who share their insights on United States’ role in the rapidly evolving Arctic landscape. Their remarks are followed by a Q&A with the audience, moderated by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of Arctic Circle and forme...

In this episode, Friðrika Geirsdóttir , Director of the Arctic Circle Business Forum, and H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson , Chairman of Arctic Circle and former President of Iceland, officially kickoff the 2025 Arctic Circle Business Forum - held at the Reykjavík EDITION Hotel, Iceland, from October 16th to 17th, during the 2025 Arctic Circle Assembly. Along with the previous episode, this opening add...

In this episode, H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson , Chairman of Arctic Circle and former President of Iceland, opens the 2025 Arctic Circle Assembly - held at the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre in Reykjavík, Iceland, from October 16th to 18th. This opening address sets the stage for the 10th season of the Arctic Circle Podcast, featuring inspiring and thought-provoking speeches, Sessions, and...

In this episode, we bring you an open dialogue on the Arctic’s growing geopolitical, geoscientific, and geoeconomic importance. The Session was co-moderated by H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of Arctic Circle and former President of Iceland, and Mihir Sharma, Director of the Centre for Economy and Growth at the Observer Research Foundation. This conversation was recorded live at the Arctic C...