Nearly 300 experts and politicians from 20 countries attended the Arctic Spirit conference in Rovaniemi in May 2025. The conference was organized by Lapland University in close cooperation with the Centre for High North Logistics (CHNL). The overall theme was “Elements of Security”.
Transportation, logistics and infrastructure were high on the agenda. The first session put a spotlight on the role of transportation and infrastructure in strengthening security and preparedness. Challenges were further discussed in three subsequent sessions, all organized and led by CHNL. Trond M. Andersen, Konnekt, and Kjell Stokvik, CHNL, were among the keynote speakers.
The panel discussions in Rovaniemi confirmed the need for an ambitious push for comprehensive expertise within transport, logistics and infrastructure. Developments in the High North are influenced by three major drivers: geopolitical tension and uncertainty, demand for critical resources (raw materials) and the green transition. Individually and taken together, these forces of change imply that the level of activity in the High North may increase significantly in the coming years. Transport and logistics are key to increased civilian as well as military activity.
With today’s developments, it seems clear that Nordic and European cooperation on security of supply and preparedness will become ever more important. Clearly, there is a need for innovative thinking, Nordic unity and a true “Arctic Spirit”. CHNL will contribute to this, i.a., through the new initiative “Arctic Mobility”, a Nordic research and education programme in the making.
