The Arctic Frontiers Abroad will to bring together experts from science, business, and policy to deepen Japan-Norway cooperation and foster innovative solutions to global challenges, where the Arctic will be at the core of the dialogue.

The seminar has a keynote from His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, followed by a Fire Side Discussion and two panels. The event is by invitation-only.

During the seminar, the Norwegian Polar Institute and Japan’s National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) will sign a cooperation agreement, formalising decades of collaboration in the Arctic and Antarctica. The partnership includes joint research in Ny‑Ålesund and cooperation in the international RINGS project, led by the Norwegian Polar Institute.

– The agreement strengthens our long-standing collaboration and provides a strong foundation for future polar research, says Camilla Brekke, Director of the Norwegian Polar Institute.

Panel 1: Observations for a Safer Ocean

Surveillance of the ocean surface has benefits for research, governance and businesses. The intersection between research and business is blooming in the ocean sector, with various Norwegian organizations at the forefront of using technology and satellites for the benefit of oceans and ocean users. With shipping in the Arctic increasing, more focus on detection, monitoring and logistics is needed. In addition, detection of oil spills and environmental monitoring of ecosystems and coastlines will need to be enhanced. The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has now launched Japan’s first ice breaker dedicated to research, which will allow a wider field of observations, immersive fieldwork in the Arctic and enhanced collaboration towards the IPY-5. The first research voyage is planned for 2027, with more concrete plans coming to fruition.

On this panel, we will gather experts in ocean observations, from both a research and business perspective, to investigate the latest technological developments and applications in the Arctic oceans.

Panel 2: Ocean and Arctic Security

The Arctic is vast, and the geopolitical situation in the Pacific Arctic is quite different to that of the Atlantic Arctic. Ocean governance and frameworks help to maintain collaboration and secure the Arctic, but these are being tested. In 2023, Japan adopted the Fourth Basic Plan on Ocean Policy, which includes overhauling their ocean policy regarding maritime security and increasing their international competitiveness within maritime industries. Dual-use technologies, where infrastructure is shared across sectors such as defense and research, can also serve as a tool for sharing funding and accelerating technological development. Additional avenues for collaboration between Norway and Japan are therefore envisioned within security, governance and business development.

More speakers and details will be added to the program.