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For two days, Oulu will focus on future energy solutions and security in the Arctic region. As Russia is excluded from international cooperation, the regions will have to rethink the structures and resources for cross-border cooperation. Representation of states, regions and cities is needed at the cooperation tables.
The City of Oulu, in cooperation with the Arctic Frontiers organisation, the embassies of Norway and Sweden in Finland and the Prime Minister’s Office, is organising a two-day Arctic Frontiers Abroad event in the Pikisali hall of the Oulu Theatre on 3–4 September.
The theme of the event is future energy solutions, security and the importance of cross-border business development and innovation and investment partnerships in promoting sustainable growth in the northern regions. Maria Varteressia, State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and Harri Martikainen, Director General of the Government Strategy Department, will speak at the event. Martikainen leads the preparation of the Northern Programme in the Government.
Arctic Frontiers, which brings together Arctic researchers, decision-makers and business life, is held annually in Tromsø in January, in addition to which satellite events focusing on different themes are organised in different places – last year, for example, in Ottawa, Canada and Helsinki and Busan, South Korea. In Oulu, 120 participants are expected to attend the event.
Cross-border cooperation requires new thinking
The Arctic Frontiers Abroad event in Oulu will discuss the future of cooperation in the northern regions, as the end of Russia cooperation has brought about changes in cooperation between regions and states. In addition to geopolitical change, the natural resources of the Arctic region offer economic growth opportunities, which is why cooperation between Finland, Sweden and Norway needs to be further intensified.
Mayor of Oulu Ari Alatossava emphasises the importance of cities and regions.
“Transport, logistics, energy and the availability of skilled labour are on the agenda of lobbying in northern Finland, Sweden and Norway. In my opinion, this requires us to take action to increase cross-border cooperation and the common good,” Alatossava says.
To achieve this goal, there are already several good cooperation networks in the area, such as Bothnian Arc and Arctic Mayors Forum, in which the City of Oulu is already involved. Arctic Frontiers Abroad, which is taking over the Oulu Theatre, offers a discussion forum where the perspective of cooperation is expanded from the Bothnian Arc one degree further north.
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