Sustainable Arctic in a Changing World
Lecture at the Rīga Stradiņš University on Arctic and Sustainable Development - 17 February 2020

Colleagues from the Latvian Ministry for Foreign Affairs,

Dear students,

Other distinguished guests. 

At the outset, allow me to say how happy I am to be here in Latvia, and that I am especially proud to start my visit with a lecture at the Riga Stradinc University. I literally hit the ground running, since I just landed roughly an hour ago after a morning flight from Iceland trough Stockholm.

I mention this, not to brag about my extremely modest running skills, but to demonstrate the fact that our two countries, Latvia and Iceland, are in fact closer than it seems.

We may be fairly far apart, geographically – Iceland in the middle of the North-Atlantic and Latvia east of the Baltic Sea.

Still, we are only a few hours away from each other with direct flights regularly connecting Riga and Reykjavik, bringing Icelanders and Latvians back and forth, in numbers.

In international relations we are often reminded that geography matters.

This certainly rings true for Latvia, given your large next-door neighbour, as it does for Iceland, surrounded by the high seas and bordering on the Arctic Circle, as I will talk about in more detail later in my speech.

But my point is, that geography is far from the only determining factor of inter-state relations – or for people-to-people contacts, for that matter.

We live in a world where relations are increasingly defined by connectivity, where every single one of us can interact globally through his or her mobile phone.

A week ago, an Icelandic composer, Hildur Gudnadóttir, was the first Icelander and the first woman in her category to win an Oscar for music, which she wrote for the film “The Joker”.

Raised in Reykjavik, she works out of Berlin and sends her music online to Hollywood.

This is just one out of endless examples of today´s connectivity. How we can enjoy and contribute to culture worldwide, irrespective of where we are located.

We can also follow and engage in politics globally, and we can study and learn online.  Last but not least we can trade with each other, to our mutual benefit, by the simple click of a computer.

But while the whole world may be our playing ground, it is at the same time only natural that we look for partners closer to home.

Partnerships are namely also based on history, culture and politics. Most of all, true partnerships are founded on shared values.

The relations between Iceland and Latvia are a prime example of this.

We have close bilateral relations which date back decades, even centuries back to the Age of the Vikings, but perhaps the defining moment in our bilateral relations was when Latvia proudly regained its independence in 1991.

We both belong to the Nordic-Baltic family where the eight members are close neighbours, with common interests and shared values.

We cooperate closely within international organizations, where our joint values truly serve as a guiding light and keep us together.

I say this because there are turbulent times in world affairs and even the most valued principles can, unfortunately, not be taken for granted.

But if we are determined to defend our values – to defend democracy, human rights and the rule of law – we will arrive at more or less the same policy choices. This we have done in the past and this we will do in the future.

And this cooperation will continue to strengthen our relations and solidarity – strengthen our alliance.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Iceland and Latvia do not only share the same interests and values, we are also faced with the same uncertainties and challenges. We live in a constantly changing world. Here, we are in many ways confronted with the same question:

How does a small state in the international system defend its interests, meet challenges and pursue opportunities?

I will obviously not speak on behalf of my Latvian colleagues, but as the Foreign Minister of Iceland I can reply with three words:

Partnerships, participation and perseverance.

Let me start with partnerships. No single country can tackle today´s and future challenges alone. Whether it is international security, finance or trade, environmental issues or global health risks such as the current Coronavirus – we are all dependent on each other.

Therefore, it is crucial for any country to cooperate closely with others, and to have a strong foothold – regionally and internationally.

In the case of Iceland, this we ensure through Nordic and Nordic-Baltic cooperation, as members of NATO, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, as well as the UN and its organization, not forgetting our firm place in Europe through the Agreement on the European Economic Area –  the EEA.

In the web of international relations, bilateral contacts are also critical.

Here, Iceland´s bilateral defence agreement with the US, which dates back to the Second World War, remains a key pillar of our security.

We obviously also value our bilateral relations with other countries, as it is our firm belief that our interests are best taken care of in close cooperation with others, in a rule-based international system.

Second, participation. While we certainly benefit from being members of international organizations and regimes, every country also needs to contribute to its work.  As in all relations, we need to find the right balance between “give-and-take”.

Here, a certain degree of resourcefulness is required, especially for a country like Iceland. Smaller countries cannot participate in everything, let alone everywhere. We simply do not have the financial means or the manpower.

But by having clear priorities and a strong focus we can contribute in certain areas in a meaningful manner.

Latvia´s emphasis on strategic communications at NATO, with the Centre of Excellence in Riga, exemplifies this. It demonstrates that a country of little less than 2 million inhabitants can really make a difference to an Alliance that counts almost a billion people.

Iceland´s focus on gender equality, in particular on the role of men in that regard, is another example of how a smaller state can take the lead on certain issues.

Let us also not forget that while countries may differ in population size, there are usually only a handful of representatives from each country at international meetings.

Often the delegations from Iceland and Latvia are similar in size as delegations from Germany, the US, India or China. I am not implying that the distribution of power is equal in the international system, or that smaller states have the same influence as larger ones.

Still, through hard work, solid preparation and expertise, smaller countries can really make their contribution count. 

Thereby, you have a much stronger foothold when you need something back. By the same token, a country that only emerges when its own narrow interests are at stake, is not very likely to succeed.

Finally, perseverance. Here I am referring to the fact that international relations are not a race – they are more like a marathon, without an end.

True, short term gains are enticing, and it can be tempting only to pick the low-hanging fruit. But first and foremost, states need a long-term view on their key interests and how to safeguard and pursue them.

It takes time to build up solid relations with other states, and they also need to be maintained. Sometimes we take good relations for granted, therefore running the risk of weakening them.

This is why good friends and neighbours should also meet regularly, and review how they can consolidate and strengthen their already good relations.

These three elements – partnerships, participation and perseverance – have all been visible in Iceland´s foreign affairs in the last year.

It was a busy year, as we had the pleasure and the privilege to chair the Nordic Council of Ministers, the N5 and the NB8 Foreign Minister´s cooperation, as well as the NB8 cooperation at the World Bank which is in fact still ongoing.

Last but not least – Iceland assumed the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council, for two years. This is both an exciting and challenging time to serve as chair, and it is a responsibility that we cherish.

The Arctic region is witnessing drastic changes that are taking place at an unprecedented pace. In Iceland, like elsewhere in the region, the effects of climate change are evident.

You may have seen in the news recently that one of our glaciers, which used to be called Ok – meaning “a load”, has now disappeared completely.

In the Arctic, temperatures are rising at more than twice the global annual average, with various effects on the environment, as well as economic and social implications.

Across the region, warming temperatures are leading to:

• opening up of new sea routes,
• easier access to natural resources, and
• increased marine tourism

  but also:

• rising sea levels,
• changes in migratory patterns and biodiversity, and
• ocean acidification.

All these factors – both perceived opportunities and evident challenges – will have a great impact within and beyond the Arctic.

Consequently, we see more interest in Arctic affairs, signifying a substantial shift in international priorities since Iceland last held the Chairmanship in the beginning of the century.

To address the challenges and take sensible advantage of the opportunities, we need active and responsible political leadership, as well as extensive and constructive cooperation among stakeholders.

The slogan of our Chairmanship of the Arctic Council – “Together towards a Sustainable Arctic” – frames this responsibility clearly.

The Icelandic Chairmanship emphasizes the importance of focusing equally on all three pillars of sustainable development: environmental protection, economic growth and social inclusion.

This is reflected in our Chairmanship priorities, where we highlight the Arctic marine environment, climate and green energy solutions, and people and communities of the Arctic.

The oceans are essential for global sustainable development. They cover the largest part of the Arctic region, and for Iceland it is only natural that we choose to focus on the ocean during our Chairmanship.

The economic prosperity of coastal communities in the Arctic is very much based on the sustainable harvest of marine resources – on fish and other resources from the sea.

We want to improve the utilization of marine resources through new projects focused on innovation and efficiency. The so-called Blue Bioeconomy has considerable potential for driving sustainable economic growth and benefit communities.

But focusing on the utilization of the catch has limited significance if we fail to safeguard our oceans.

Ocean pollution and acidification are of grave concern. The Arctic Council’s subsidiary bodies have carried out very important work in this field, which continues during our Chairmanship.

With increased marine traffic and economic activities in Arctic waters, we must also maintain a focus on building Search and Rescue capacity and cooperative mechanisms. We need to be able to respond quickly and effectively to accidents and environmental emergencies.

It is clear that we must take action, and we must also base our actions on the best available scientific knowledge. To that end, the Icelandic government will host an International Symposium on plastics in the Arctic in April and we will co-host the third Arctic Science Ministerial meeting, with Japan, in Tokyo in November.

To tackle the region’s most serious challenges, such as the effects of climate change, we need an inclusive, knowledge-driven approach. For this reason, we have emphasized close consultations with the Council’s Permanent Participants, as well as strengthened cooperation with Arctic Council Observers, which include states from non-Arctic regions, as well as NGOs and international organizations.

We have also promoted closer collaboration with the Arctic Economic Council, which shares our interests in sustainable and responsible economic development, to the benefit of the region´s four million inhabitants.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Iceland was for centuries one of the poorest countries in Europe. Our geographical isolation, harsh climate and frequent natural disasters made Iceland a difficult place to live in for our ancestors.

However, the sustainable use of natural resources has helped us develop into a prosperous nation.

This transformation is grounded on two key factors.

First, turning away from coal and oils to renewable energy. Today, almost 97% of all houses in Iceland are heated using green energy, thereof almost 90% geothermal.

I should mention that Iceland has agreed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and the Government aims for a carbon neutral Iceland by 2040.

The second factor was turning away from unsustainable fisheries to responsible resource management.

These “green” turns, in my view, were two of Iceland’s most important policy decisions in the last century. Borne out of practical need, they were not only right, but necessary to be able to bring our country to the next level of development.

The Blue Bioeconomy concept that I mentioned before is in fact linked to the establishment of our current fisheries management system.

After gaining full control of our Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nautical miles), we continued to overfish most of our fish stocks for years. By the 1980s, Iceland was forced to face the cold reality of collapsing stocks and over-investment in the fishing sector.

Thankfully, responsible policies were adopted to prevent a permanent depletion of our stocks and increase productivity, leading to the introduction of our present fisheries management system, which is science-based and ensures sustainable fishing.

The Blue Bioeconomy takes this thinking further. Not only are we committed to sustainable fishing but focusing on increasing the value of catches by cutting waste and maximizing utilization. Here, innovation and biotechnological solutions are key.

We are still learning, but utilization of living marine catches has been improved dramatically and some Icelandic companies have even managed to eliminate all waste of biomass.

I could name as an example an innovative company in a small fishing village in the north of Iceland that is making a product out of shrimp shells that serves to fight inflammation in the human body (company called Bennís and the product is called Benecta).

The development process started more than 20 years ago, after a TV journalist filmed the polluted dock by the shrimp processing plant, filled with reddish shell waste that nobody made use of.

Instead of turning defensive, the owner of the plant took a hard look at his practices and chose innovation over inaction. Today, this product is sold to overseas markets, bringing additional revenue and foreign currency earnings.

Other entrepreneurs in Iceland are producing collagen supplements from fish. (Collagen is supposed to keep you looking young – and as you can see, I take it every day!)

Yet another company has developed a method to extract enzymes from fish skin that is revolutionizing the treatment of wounds. Its products are sold all over the world. This has enabled highly educated people to return to their old hometowns and find or create suitable jobs.

Parts of marine resources that were earlier considered waste and thrown back in the ocean, are now being used to produce high-quality products with much greater value than the traditional fish filet.

To sum up, it is high time for closer cooperation in the Arctic. We need to respond to climate change and ocean pollution and acidification.

We must support research and scientific initiatives. We must ensure peace and stability in our region and avoid a race for resources.

The Arctic also offers an opportunity to demonstrate how responsible states can cooperate, respecting international law, thereby laying the foundations for a prosperous future for the people of the Arctic. Only by working together can we move “Towards a Sustainable Arctic”.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In my talk today I have focused on two things.

Firstly, on the question how smaller states can navigate the sometimes rough seas of international politics, and how having a strong foothold through active, long-term participation is crucial to our safety and prosperity.

Second, I have discussed the opportunities and challenges in the Arctic, from the perspective of Iceland´s chairmanship in the Arctic Council, and on how the blue bioeconomy can contribute to both sustainability and economic growth.

Global climate change requires all of us to do more – and faster – not only in the Arctic but around the world.

Allow me to conclude by saying that this is not only the role of Governments or Foreign Ministers.

Preventing and adapting to climate change, and ensuring a safe and sustainable future, will require the joint effort of all of us: Governments, businesses, universities and research communities, the media, and perhaps most importantly– the general public.

History shows that when the people themselves stand up, others will follow, and the future takes new course. 

One such pivotal moment was on display here in the Baltic states roughly 30 years ago when around 2 million people from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania formed a 675 km long human chain to express their desire for independence.

Some of you in the audience today may have been there in 1989.

This remarkable act of courage demonstrated what can be achieved when nations exercise solidarity and work hand-in-hand, as you and your neighbours to the north and south did during these dramatic days.

The rest is history, a history that you can be proud of and we are certainly honoured to be a small part of.

I thank you for your attention and look forward to your questions. 

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