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The two-day forum covered topics such as the EU's Arctic strategy, the future Multiannual Financial Framework, competitiveness, the green transition, and security, resilience and cooperation in the northern regions. The discussions were timely, as the European Union has just published its new Arctic strategy and negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034 are ongoing.

Northern regions' views on the future of the EU and the Arctic strategy

Miguel Roncero, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission, presented the key priorities of the new Arctic Strategy via videoconference. In their speeches, the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs' Arctic Ambassador Kalle Kankaanpää and Päivi Ekdahl, Development Director of the Regional Council of Lapland, emphasised the growing importance of the Arctic regions from the perspective of Europe's security, energy independence, green transition and competitiveness. The need to invest in infrastructure, accessibility and vibrant local communities was also raised.

The discussions highlighted the importance of the NSPA network as an actor in the Arctic region and as an implementer of the strategy. Both Roncero and Kankaanpää stressed that in the implementation of the Arctic Strategy, local and regional actors as well as cooperation between actors are key.

– From the perspective of the NSPA regions, it is very important that the new EU Arctic Strategy identifies the northern regions not only as key areas for Europe's security and strategic competitiveness, but also as vibrant living and operating environments. However, the strategy's objectives will not be achieved without concrete investments, strong regional agency and long-term EU funding. In particular, special funding for northern sparsely populated areas must be secured in the future funding period. The implementation of the Arctic strategy must take place together with the regions – not just the regions, says Development Director Tiina Rajala Regional Assembly of Oulu Region.

The future of EU funding as a key theme

Member of the European Parliament Elsi Katainen discussed the state of play of the negotiations on the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs). In her speech, Ms Katainen stressed the importance of the regions, stating that there would be no prosperous Europe without prosperous regions. He highlighted in particular the role of the regions in the preparation of the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and stressed the importance of national coordination and regional skills. Ms Katainen stressed the importance of securing sufficient funding for the various EU funds and of identifying the needs of the regions and exploiting know-how as part of future EU policy.

The state of play of the discussions on the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) was also examined by Hanna Honkamäkilä, Secretary General of the NRPP Preparation for Eastern and Northern Finland, and Kari Aalto, Director of the EU Office for Eastern and Northern Finland.

– The future EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) highlights the need to secure long-term development funding for sparsely populated northern regions. The NSPA regions consider it important that the specific conditions of the regions are identified in the future partnership plan, says Secretary General of the NRPP Preparation for Eastern and Northern Finland Hanna Honkamäkilä.

Sustainable transition and security in the northern regions

The panel on the green transition and sustainable development of the Arctic regions examined the potential of the northern regions and the sustainable implementation of large investments from the perspectives of research, industry and regional development. In the panel, perspectives were provided by Research Manager, Docent Jaana Sorvali from the Natural Resources Institute Finland, Head of Environmental and Biodiversity Projects Kirsi Johansson Outokumpu, Provincial Counsellor, (regionråd) Rickard Carstedt the Västerbotten region and Environmental and Natural Resources Manager Ritva Isomäki from the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The discussion was led by Tiina, Senior Specialist Paakkari EU Office for Eastern and Northern Finlandsta.  

– Northern regions are not just a target for investments and natural resources for the green transition, but active actors in the implementation of the transformation. As major investments progress, regional coordination is increasingly needed to take into account land use, nature, livelihoods and local needs, summarises: Ritva Isomäki.

The second day of the Forum addressed the security, resilience and changing geopolitical situation in the European Arctic. In their speeches, NATO expert Johannes Puukki and Professor Tanja Joona from the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland emphasised the importance of Arctic security, the resilience of regions and civil society, and practical implementation. Both interventions highlighted the importance of cooperation and mutual trust.

The future of the Arctic region will be solved through practical cooperation, which is why know-how, cooperation, resilience and development work in the northern regions are more important than ever before.

From the left: Kari Aalto, Director of the EU Office for Eastern and Northern Finland, Laura Kelhä, Regional Development Manager of the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia, Päivi Ekdahl, Regional Development Director of the Regional Council of Lapland, Leena Leskinen, Regional Development Director of the Regional Council of North Karelia, Tiina Rajala, Regional Development Director of the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia, Niina Ahtonen, Regional Development Director of the Regional Council of Kainuu and Timo Ollila, Regional Development Director of the Regional Council of North Savo.