Arctic Circle VIRTUAL
Greenland in the New Arctic
February 22nd 2021
Opening remarks from H.E. Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarsson, Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Össur Skarphéðinsson, former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Greenland Committee will discuss the significance of Greenlandic-Icelandic co-operation and answer questions from the audience.
Moderated by Halla Hrund Logadóttir, Harvard Kennedy School Arctic Initiative.
The Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs recently published an extensive Report with a detailed analysis on the current relationship between Greenland and Iceland with 99 recommendations on how to strengthen the co-operation.
Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarsson
Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson has been serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs since 11 January 2017. He previously served as Minister for Health and Social Security 2007-2009. Member of Althingi for the Reykjavík North Constituency 2003-2009, for the Reykjavík South Constituency 2009-2016 and for the Reykjavík North Constituency since 2016. Chairman of the parliamentary group of the Independence Party 2016-2017. Deputy Chairman of the parliamentary group of the Independence Party 2013-2016 and 2005-2007. 1st Deputy Chairman of the Budget Committee 2013-2016 Member of the Icelandic Delegation to the EFTA and EEA Parliamentary Committees 2013-2016 (Chairman 2013-2016) and 2003-2007 (Chairman 2005-2007). Member of the EU-Iceland joint Parliamentary Committee 2013-2016 (Chairman 2013-2016) Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee 2013-2014. Member of the Economic Affairs and Trade Committee 2011-2013. Member of the Health Committee 2009-2011. Member of the Trade Committee 2009-2011.
Össur Skarphéðinsson
Össur Skarphéðinsson is an Icelandic politician who served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from February 2009 to May 2013. He was appointed Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism for the Social Democratic Alliance in May 2007. He was also Minister for Nordic Cooperation from 24 May 2007 to 10 June 2008. He was a member of the parliament (Althing) for the Reykjavík Constituency from 1991 to 2003, and for Reykjavík North Constituency from 2003 to 2016. Mr. Skarphéðinsson was Chairman of the Social Democratic Party parliamentary group from 1991 to 1993, Minister for the Environment from 1993 to 1995, and Chairman of the Social Democratic Alliance from 2000 to 2005.
Halla Hrund Logadóttir
Halla Hrund Logadottir is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Arctic Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Founder of the Arctic Innovation Lab, established to encourage business and social innovation across the Arctic region. Halla is the former director of the Iceland School of Energy at Reykjavik University where she also lectures on Energy and Arctic affairs. Halla is a frequent commentator on environment, energy, and innovation for the Arctic. She was one of the 15 invited writers in United Nations Chronicle's special edition on sustainable energy published in relation to COP21 and co-curates the World Economic Forum's Arctic Transformation Map. Among her other roles include being the Co-founder of Girls4Girls non-profit; a global mentorship program that operates in over 20 countries to empower young women.
Q&A
All questions directed to Össur Skarphéðinsson were posted by participants, either before or during the event.
Greenland and Iceland in the New Arctic
Access the full Report of the Greenland Committee and discover the 99 recommendations.
Reading Material
RÚV: 99 recommendations in Iceland-Greenland report
ICENEWS: Turning point in Iceland-Greenland relations emerge with new report
Iceland Review: Hopes Report on Iceland-Greenland Relation Marks Turning Point
Videos
Kim Kielsen, Premier of Greenland at the 2019 Arctic Circle Assembly
