The Economist Arctic Summit 2015

The Summit was attended by some 200 invited participants bringing together Arctic stakeholders to debate the future of the region: politicians, government bodies, Arctic Council members and observer states, NGOs, indigenous groups, intergovernmental organizations, corporations (insurance, infrastructure, oil gas and mining, logistics, shipping, tourism, risk management) and environmental experts.

 The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende opened the meeting, which then focused on climate change, governance, geopolitics, investments and social and economic development, risk management in the Arctic. The meeting was moderated by James Astill, Political Editor of The Economist.

Special Advisor to the IIASA Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Hannu Halinen was invited to the closed Speakers' Dinner on March 11, where he introduced the IIASA Arctic Futures Initiative (AFI) as the AFI Advisory Board co-chair. At the Summit itself, Hannu Halinen took the AFI up in his interventions as well as at the roundtable discussion over the lunch.

The Economist is an important partner in raising awareness. The AFI contacts at the Summit included representatives from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arctic Economic Council, World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), Tongji University of Shanghai, Tshudi Ltd, Kirkenes, Arctic Frontiers and the Saami Council.

Last edited: 26 June 2019