20 November 2017

Scotland’s first Arctic Circle Forum is underway in Edinburgh.

The forum is co-hosted by the Scottish Government and the Arctic Circle international cooperation network and, over Monday and Tuesday, there are wide variety of talks and events.

Titled Scotland and the New North, it is all about how we approach the challenges and opportunities faced by northern nations, sharing and learning from one another.

FM @NicolaSturgeon opened #ArcticCircleScotland in Edinburgh, and held a Q&A with @ArcticAssembly chair Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, #Iceland foreign minister @GudlaugurThor & #FaroeIslands foreign minister Poul Michelsen pic.twitter.com/gu8gVrcOSE

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) November 20, 2017

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon officially opened the forum, with introductory speeches from Arctic Circle chair, former president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Iceland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson and Faroes Minister of Foreign Affairs Poul Michelsen.

The First Minister said:

Our similarities – both geographic and cultural – mean that Scotland and the Arctic states often face many of the same issues. In fact, we’re seeing that more and more, as our nations adapt to major economic and environmental changes.

“Now more than ever, there is a need – and indeed an opportunity – for us to work together on shared priorities. That’s fundamentally what this Forum – and our concept of the ‘New North’ – is all about.”

Later in the day, Environment & Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham took to the stage for a Q&A discussion with Lord Deben, chairman of the independent UK Committee on Climate Change.

.@strathearnrose speaking at #ArcticCircleScotland @ArcticAssembly & discussing @scotgov climate justice & climate change ambitions pic.twitter.com/NCSJGjxcyA

— Scot Gov Greener (@GreenerScotland) November 20, 2017

Dialogue and debate continues tomorrow, when International Development Minister Alasdair Allan takes part in a panel session with Finland’s Foreign Affairs State Secretary Samuli Virtanen and Höskuldur Thorhallsson of the Nordic Council. External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop closes the forum on Tuesday evening.

Read in full the First Minister’s speech to the forum.

#ArcticCircleScotland underway – watch video of @NicolaSturgeon on importance of collaboration by Scotland with arctic nations. You can also read her full speech to the forum today: https://t.co/LhJ3q7uEBw @ArcticAssembly pic.twitter.com/0CnXn0GbFw

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) November 20, 2017