Today 30 November, Estonia is holding a virtual event to present its application for observer status on the Arctic Council and detail the ways in which the climate and digital know-how of Estonian scientists can contribute to how the Arctic deals with climate change.
At the virtual event “Estonia as an aspiring Arctic Council observer state: promoting smart solutions” starting at 16.00, President Kersti Kaljulaid, Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu and experts of the field talk about why ensuring the sustainable development of the Arctic is the responsibility of not only Arctic states alone but also its neighbours. The virtual event is in English.
“Developments in the Arctic have a direct impact on the entire northern region and in fact the whole world,” Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said. “On the one hand, as observers on the Arctic Council the scientists and companies of Estonia could contribute with their competence to finding innovative and sustainable solutions for the Arctic region, and on the other hand, such a substantial project would, in turn, bring excellent know-how back to Estonia.”
Minister Reinsalu said that thanks to its digitalisation experience and knowledge, Estonia could help Arctic communities apply efficient digital solutions. “For example, digitised health information systems could make medical services available despite infrastructural limitations,” Reinsalu said. “These solutions would, in turn, boost local economy and business.”
A live stream can be watched on the Foreign Ministry’s YouTube and Facebook channels.
The formal invitation is available here.
More information: https://vm.ee/en/estonia-aspiring-arctic-council-observer-state-arctics-inventive-neighbour
The media is also welcome to cover the event at the Tallinn Creative Hub (Põhja pst 27a). Kindly let us know of your interest by emailing [email protected].
AGENDA
16.00 Opening words: Kersti Kaljulaid, President of the Republic of Estonia
16.10 Keynote speech: Marc Lanteigne, Associate Professor, Political Science, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway
16.20 Discussion “Smart transformation: from Arctic to e-Arctic”
Participants:
• Urmas Reinsalu, Foreign Minister of Estonia
• Maarja Kruusmaa, Vice-Rector for Research, TalTech
• Aimar Ventsel, Senior Research Fellow in Ethnology, University of Tartu
• Mari Hunt, Architect at b210 Architects, lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts, member of the Estonian Polar Club
Moderator:
Kristi Raik, Director of the Estonian Foreign Policy Institute at the International Centre for Defence and Security
17.50 Closing remarks
Additional information:
Pia Kuusik
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Communication Department
+372 5635 7866
www.vm.ee
