Newsletter: We Must Talk About the War

This week, students, business leaders and researchers from large parts of the world met in Bodø, Norway for dialogue and cooperation about the future High North.

The theme of the High North Dialogue conference was “The Great Shifts”.

If there is anything the Arctic has done for the past three years, it is to transition. First due to the pandemic, then due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

For businesses, the past few years have been dramatic.

Much is put on hold

In a talk with Editor-in-Chief Arne O. Holm, shipowner and owner of the Tschudi Shipping Company Felix Tschudi shared his experiences from the past few years.

From 2019 onwards, a large number the company’s projects have come to a halt due to the pandemic. And today, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has placed a lid over future opportunities. (Norwegian only`).

The EU has also proposed a ban against Russian vessels entering EU ports. While Norway usually follows suit when it comes to sanctions, the Norwegian authorities have announced that there may be some exemptions this time.

Upstream

In his commentary this week, Holm writes that the Russian attack on Ukraine has made western states crowd around international institutions.

“All over Europe, principles have to give way for a pragmatism adjusted to a new reality. In Norway, we take the opposite route. That is a poor reply to an aggressive and warring Russia”, argues the Editor-in-Chief who has taken a few days off from the mobile office and the High North Tour 2022 to moderate debates about exactly the changes currently experienced by people in the High North.

At the conference, the US’ Charge d’Affaires to Norway Sharon Hudson-Dean announced that president Joe Biden is working on updating the USA’s national Arctic strategy. The previous one dates back to 2013, when Barack Obama was the president and the world situation looked quite different.

Researcher Svein Vigeland Rottem at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute argues that we have to talk about the war when we meet at a conference like this.

This year, sustainable business in the Arctic is on top of the agenda. That is important, of course, but we now need to see everything in light of the crisis on the continent, the researcher argues. (Norwegian only).

And only last week, the Norwegian Chief of Defense hosted a three-day gathering with the defense chiefs from Sweden and Finland.

“The Nordic cooperation is very important to Norway. We are closer than ever before”, says Norway’s Defense Chief, General Eirik Kristoffersen.

Losing young women

De-population increases. Few move in. Low birth rates. Large need for workers. Young adults do not see opportunities in the High North and many move south.

We have heard it all before. And it is in particular the young and educated women who leave, the latest Business Index North report shows. “An alarming development”, say the researchers behind the report.

Jeanette Gundersen, Chair of the SpareBank1 Northern Norway Knowledge Park says in no uncertain terms that we have to stop talking and actually do something about it. (Norwegian only)

Search and rescue works

Last week, the chiefs of the Norwegian Joint Operations Headquarters and the FSB Border Directorate met. Their meeting, which took place on the Russian side of the border, focused on Norwegian-Russian coordination of activities related to the Coast guard, the border patrol, as well as search and rescue (SAR) in the High North.

We also note that Arctic shipping continues to increase and through that, emissions from shipping increase too.

Easter is coming up, with days off, skiing and easter egg hunt. Next week, our editorial staff is off from 12 noon on Wednesday through Monday 18 April.

Our best regards,
Trine Jonassen,
News Editor, High North News