2017 Berlin

Connect the Baltic with the Arctic! How to unlock potential for sustainable growth

Connect the Baltic with the Arctic! How to unlock potential for sustainable growth

Time:               14th June, 10.45-12.15
Venue:              Konrad-Adenauer-Saal

Description:

How can the Baltic Sea Region benefit from the sustainable development of the Arctic? By pinpointing potential for sustainable growth in the northernmost parts of the Baltic Sea Region through innovation and digitalization, we are discussing the need for increased multi-level governance, macro-regional strategies that interlink and create synergies, as well as connecting the two sea basins through both transport- and digital infrastructure.

Speakers:

  • Chris McDonald, policy analyst Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
    - OECD Territorial Reviews: Northern Sparsely Populated Areas 2017
  • Erja Tikka, Baltic Sea Ambassador, Finland, (tbc)
  • Leneisja Jungsberg, Research fellow Nordic Centre for Spatial Development (Nordregio)
    - Future Regional Development Policy for the Nordic Arctic: Foresight Analysis 2013-16
  • Oddgeir Danielsen, Director Northern Dimension Partnership on Transport and Logistics (NDPTL)
  • Anders Lindholm, Deputy Director Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation, Sweden
  • Jari Nahkanen, Chair Regional Council of Oulu
    - Member of the CPMR Bureau and rapporteur for the Baltic Sea Commission’s political position paper on Connect the Baltic with the Arctic

First row participants to challenge the speakers with different perspectives:

  • Baiba Liepa, Interract Office Turku
  • Daria Akhutina (CBSS & HA Neighbor, tbc)
  • Thomas Erlandsson (PA Transport, tbc)
  • Nicklas Forsling (PA Innovation, tbc
  • Representative (Arctic Policy, Germany, tbc)
  • Representative (DG Regio)
  • Representative (DG Mare, tbc)
  • Representative (DG Move, tbc)

Moderator:

  • Bettina Rafelsson, Director COWI (tbc)

Elaboration:

The Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPA) are located at the periphery of Europe, on top of the Baltic Sea and at the Europe’s gateway to the Arctic and eastern Russia. A changing climate, access to hydrocarbon and mineral resources, and shifts in relations with Russia are changing the political and economic landscape. The sustainable development of these regions is crucial to manage such strategic risks and opportunities, and of great value to the European Union.

In March 2017, OECD published a Territorial Review of the NSPA that identifies both bottlenecks and possibilities to create sustainable growth with added value to the EU. Furthermore, in January 2016, Nordregio published a report on the Future Regional Development Policy for the Nordic Arctic: Foresight Analysis 2013-16 with the aim to assess challenges and opportunities for sustainable regional development. Both of the studies will serve as a thorough basis for policy development at multi levels of governance.

In this seminar we want to elaborate and explore how the Baltic Sea interlinks with the European Arctic, how the two macro-regional territories can connect, complement and strengthen each other to unlock potential for sustainable growth beyond EU2020.

Angle of debate: How can the Baltic Sea Region benefit from the sustainable development of the Arctic? What innovative growth potential in the Arctic part of Europe entitles stakeholders to invest in innovation, transport and digital infrastructure to connect the Baltic with the Arctic?

Outcome: Showcase possibilities to create sustainable growth at the gateway to the Arctic and on top of the Baltic Sea with added value to the whole of Europe, preferably achieved by unlocking the potential through investments in innovation, transport and digital infrastructure.

Organizer(s) & contact details: Region Norrbotten and Regional Council of Oulu

John Kostet, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; +46 70 461 007