My Oulu: Nordic collaboration at its best in Oulu – Arctic Frontiers Abroad finds joint solutions for arctic challenges
Daniel Smirat and Carina Sammeli (r) from Luleå and Mirja Vehkaperä from Oulu met at Arctic Frontiers Abroad event in Oulu last week. Photo: Anne Rännäli-Kontturi
Jaa sosiaalisessa mediassa:
Arctic Frontiers Abroad, held last week in Oulu, served as an effective platform for discussing the future of the Arctic and finding joint solutions to the region’s most pressing challenges. Energy cooperation and infrastructure development as well as skills shortages were among the discussion topics. The event underscored the need for a united effort and cross-border collaboration to ensure sustainable and resilient growth in the Arctic.
The main Arctic Frontiers event, held annually in Tromsø, Norway, brings together researchers, politicians, entrepreneurs, and local Arctic communities. Its satellite event in Oulu served the same purpose. Arctic Frontiers Abroad gathered around a hundred participants from across the Nordic countries to discuss future energy solutions and security in the Arctic region.
Global competition for investments is fierce, and at the same time, the North has investment opportunities worth up to 187 billion euros, which calls for strong cross-border collaboration. In addition to investment opportunities, changes in the geopolitical situation demand attention from regional stakeholders.
Maria Varteressian, State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that the geopolitical situation after Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine requires more cooperation in the Arctic.
”We also face other challenges, such as climate change, which is happening four times faster in the Arctic than in the rest of the world. Several long-standing global conflicts have further altered the situation in the Arctic. We need more cooperation at national, regional, and local levels”, Varteressian said.
Mayor of Luleå Carina Sammeli, Chair of Oulu’s City Board Mirja Vehkaperä and Vice Chairman of Troms County Municipality Benjamin Furly echoed her concerns.
”Nordic cooperation is a crucial meeting point for us at the regional level. We are in a completely new situation, and we don’t know what the future holds for Barents cooperation, for example”, said Furly.
”The situation has changed rapidly. We need to think much more about safety in many areas, such as infrastructure, education, and urban planning”, added Vehkaperä.
More investment in infrastructure, including railways, is needed to support the green transition.
”A green transition is happening across every part of society. We cooperate with Oulu and Tromsø, among others, to solve these problems together. NATO membership also means we need to expand infrastructure. Railways and roads are essential for the military, and in this area, we must collaborate”, Sammeli said.
”One area where we need more cooperation is energy. We are facing an energy shortage and must produce more, or the green transition will be at risk”, added Furly.
A joint Northern Agenda
There is no doubt that cross-border collaboration is essential, but the question is what to prioritize and how to assign roles to local, regional, and state actors. This summer, the Swedish government published its Northern Strategy, the Norwegian government is implementing the Arctic 2030 program, and in Finland, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government has introduced The Northern Agenda. All these national strategies aim to boost regional growth and accelerate investments.
Oulu’s Mayor, Ari Alatossava, presented a concrete suggestion at Arctic Frontiers Abroad on how cross-border collaboration could move forward.
”Changes related to security, supply chains, and industrial renewal in the North are national discussion topics in all Nordic countries. Transport, logistics, energy, and the availability of a skilled workforce are on the advocacy agenda for all of us. Therefore, I propose that Finland, Sweden, and Norway develop a joint industrial policy program for the northern regions”, Alatossava said.
”The program must take into account our regional strengths and provide tools to solve key development challenges. It must be prepared and implemented through close partnerships and multi-level governance involving states, regional, and local actors. In this region, we already have several good platforms to build on, such as Bothnian Arc and the Arctic Mayors Forum, to which Oulu is committed”, he added.
The key focus of Arctic Frontiers Abroad was to provide a platform for exchanging information and exploring new opportunities for cross-border cooperation. After the event in Oulu, the Arctic region may be one step closer to a joint Northern Agenda. At least discussions will continue in January, when next Arctic Frontiers takes place.