Arctic conferences as arenas for power games and collaboration in international relations

Figures & data

Table 1. Arctic circle forums.

Date and location	Collaborating organiser(s)	Topic and main objectives
2015, August Anchorage, Alaska	The State of Alaska, Alaska Dispatch News, Pt Capital, the Governor, legislative leaders.	Shipping and Ports: Articulate plans and facilitate partnerships for developing safe, secure and reliable shipping through the Arctic, with a focus on the Bering Sea and other northern sea routes. Attended by over 200 political leaders, experts, and business and indigenous community representatives.
2015, November Singapore	Singapore Maritime Institute, the Singapore Government.	Shipping, infrastructure financing, ocean science, research, global collaboration on Arctic affairs.
2016, May Nuuk, Greenland	The Government of Greenland: Naalakkersuisut.	Economic development for the people of the Arctic, tourism, shipping, airlines, natural resources, fisheries and the empowerment of indigenous people across the Arctic.
2016, December Quebec Canada	The Government of Quebec.	Sustainable development of northern regions, regional planning and governance, investments, socio-economic development, and the impacts of climate change.
2017, June Washington DC, US	The Woodrow Wilson Centre’s Polar Initiative, Washington DC.	Organised around four thematic tracks: investment, cooperation, science and research, and security. Addressed policies and plans of the United States and Russia in the Arctic, relations with other states, and Asian and European countries seeking an increasing role in the region.
2017, December Edinburgh, Scotland	The Scottish government.	Scotland and the New North Areas of common interest between Scotland and the Arctic: resilient communities, young people, innovation and community empowerment, shipping and aviation connections, Arctic seas – environment, fisheries and monitoring, blue growth, energy innovations and tourism.
2018, May Tórshavn, Faroe Islands	The government of the Faroe Islands.	Arctic Hubs: Building Dynamic Economies and Sustainable Communities in the North Arctic fisheries and responsible use of ocean resources, ocean and air transport, tourism, science and research, and the policies of Asian states regarding Arctic development. Cooperation among North Atlantic states: Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Norway and Scotland.
2018, December Seoul, Korea	Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Korea Polar Research Institute, Korea Maritime Institute.	Asia Meets the Arctic: Science, Connectivity and Partnerships Arctic science, connectivity and sustainability, energy, shipping and transport, the role of Asian countries and companies in the Arctic Ocean, and cooperation between Asian and Arctic states on the future of the region.
2019, May Shanghai, China	Ministry of Natural Resources, the Polar Research Institute of China, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, the Chinese Society for Oceanography.	China and the Arctic. China’s involvement in the Arctic through the Belt and Road Initiative, science and innovation, transport and investment, sustainable development, oceans, energy, indigenous socio-economic development and stewardship, and governance. Sponsored by the China Oceanic Development Foundation.

Table

Nationality	Position
Canada	Research associate
Finland	University professor, and member of the Arctic Circle Board of Advisors
Finland	Business organisation Secretary Director
Finland	President and CEO
Germany	Research institution director
Iceland	Initiator and Chairman of the Arctic Circle Assembly
Iceland	Arctic Council associated
Norway	Initiator and Chairman of the Arctic Frontiers
Norway	Secretary Leader of the Arctic Frontiers
Norway	Senior official, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Norway	Senior official, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Norway	President of research collaborative and member of the Arctic Circle Board of Advisors and the Arctic Frontiers steering committee
Norway	Research institute director, and member of the Arctic Circle Board of Advisors and the Arctic Frontiers steering committee
Norway	Senior adviser, university
Norway	CEO and member of the Arctic Circle Board of Advisors
Norway	Journalist
Norway	Journalist
Switzerland	Scientific collaborator, Department of Foreign Affairs
United States	Chair of the Arctic Circle Board of Advisors
United States	Senior fellow at research institute, former ambassador
United States	Chair of research commission, and member of the Arctic Circle Board of Advisors
United States	Executive director, research institute
United States	Vice chancellor (research), university
United States	Conference organiser