The Arctic Circle Podcast

What are the positions of Canada, Norway, and Greenland in the Arctic? And how are each navigating the region's rapidly changing political, strategic, and environmental dynamics?Joining the conversation are:Vivian Motzfeldt, then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research of GreenlandMona Fortier, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of CanadaEivind Vad Petersson, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of NorwayThe Session is moderated by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of Arctic Circle and Former President of Iceland.This discussion was recorded live at the Arctic Circle Rome Forum -  Polar Dialogue, held March 3rd–4th, 2026.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 secretariat@arcticcircle.orgTWITTER:@_Arctic_CircleFACEBOOK:The Arctic CircleINSTAGRAM:arctic_circle_org

How can we innovate in the Arctic? Why is this region uniquely positioned to drive innovation? And what does the future hold for Arctic entrepreneurship and technology?Joining the conversation are:Vince Payne, Vice President of Business Development at C-Core, CanadaWilliam Tasney, CEO of Scale42, UKAndrey Mineev, Project Leader at the Arctic Business Index and Researcher at Nord University, NorwayMiki Jensen, CEO of Innovation South GreenlandSindre Stemshaug Bornstein, CEO of Nordic InnovationThe 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 secretariat@arcticcircle.orgTWITTER:@_Arctic_CircleFACEBOOK:The Arctic CircleINSTAGRAM:arctic_circle_org

What is the role of Greenland in the Arctic and the world? And how are the region’s rapidly shifting dynamics creating both new opportunities and new responsibilities for Greenland and its partners?Joining the conversation is Vivian Motzfeldt, then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research of Greenland.This discussion was recorded live at the Arctic Circle Rome Forum - Polar Dialogue, held March 3rd–4th, 2026.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 secretariat@arcticcircle.orgTWITTER:@_Arctic_CircleFACEBOOK:The Arctic CircleINSTAGRAM:arctic_circle_org

What is the role and responsibility of Indigenous knowledge in Arctic research? And how can platforms and frameworks foster genuine, respectful collaboration between Indigenous and Western knowledge systems?Joining the conversation are:Malene Simon Hegelund, Senior Scientist at the Greenland Climate Research CentreQillaq Danielsen, Indigenous Hunter from Qaanaaq, GreenlandOlennguaq Kristensen, Indigenous Hunter from Savissivik, GreenlandSara Olsvig, International Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC)The Session is moderated by Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Chair of the Arctic Circle Polar Dialogue; and former Prime Minister of Iceland.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 secretariat@arcticcircle.orgTWITTER:@_Arctic_CircleFACEBOOK:The Arctic CircleINSTAGRAM:arctic_circle_org

What is the United States’ vision in and for the Arctic and why has the region become central to U.S. security in recent years?Joining the conversation are:Thomas E. Dans, Chair, United States Arctic Research Commission (USARC); andDavid Balton, Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Arctic Initiative, and Former U.S. Ambassador.The Session is moderated by Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Chair of the Arctic Circle Polar Dialogue and Former Prime Minister of Iceland.This discussion was recorded live at the Arctic Circle Rome Forum - Polar Dialogue, held March 3rd and 4th, 2026, and organized in association with the Ministry of University and Research and the National Research Council of Italy, and in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.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 secretariat@arcticcircle.orgTWITTER:@_Arctic_CircleFACEBOOK:The Arctic CircleINSTAGRAM:arctic_circle_org

How can science and business work together to bring meaningful solutions to the challenges facing the Arctic and the world?The conversation is introduced by H.E. Mariam Almheiri, Chair of the Emirates Polar Program Steering Committee and Head of the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court, and continues with a panel discussion featuring:Aisha Al Suwaidi, Associate Professor of Earth Sciences and member of the Polar Research Center at Khalifa University;Mads Qvist Frederiksen, Executive Director of the Arctic Economic Council;Edmund Truell, Executive Chairman of Global Interconnection Group, UK.The Session is moderated by Wassim Said, Steering Committee Member of the Emirates Polar Program.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 secretariat@arcticcircle.orgTWITTER:@_Arctic_CircleFACEBOOK:The Arctic CircleINSTAGRAM:arctic_circle_org

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); andVicki 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 secretariat@arcticcircle.orgTWITTER:@_Arctic_CircleFACEBOOK:The Arctic CircleINSTAGRAM: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 secretariat@arcticcircle.orgTWITTER:@_Arctic_CircleFACEBOOK:The Arctic CircleINSTAGRAM:arctic_circle_org

Isabella Rauti, Deputy Minister at Italy’s Ministry of Defence focused on polar issues, outlines Italy’s scientific and diplomatic ties to the Arctic. She describes the launch of the Rome Forum Polar Dialogue. Short takes cover Italy’s polar research traditions, civilian-military support for science, themes of science-as-diplomacy, and calls for peaceful, cooperative Arctic development.

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 secretariat@arcticcircle.orgTWITTER:@_Arctic_CircleFACEBOOK:The Arctic CircleINSTAGRAM:arctic_circle_org