Norway and Iceland diplomats on their countries' roles in Arctic stewardship

Witnesses

Tuesday 11 November, Committee Room 1 

At 10.40 am

• Professor Julian Dowdeswell, Director, Scott Polar Research Institute
• Dr Ray Leakey, Arctic Research Theme Leader, Scottish Association for Marine Science
• Professor Jane Francis, Director, British Antarctic Survey

At 11.40 am

• Else Berit Eikeland, Norway’s Polar Ambassador and Senior Arctic Official to the Arctic Council
• Thόrdur Aegir Óskarsson, Icelandic Ambassador to the United Kingdom

Areas of discussion

• The important role UK scientists have played in increasing understanding of the Arctic.
• Areas that will be covered include the priorities for UK scientific research in the Arctic.
• How far the Foreign Office makes use of UK scientific research in its own Arctic policy-making.
• The gaps that exist in scientific knowledge of the Arctic.
• Norway and Iceland's respective priorities for the Arctic region and what role they play in the Arctic Council.
• What role the UK should play in working with Arctic states.
• How the governments of Iceland and Norway think economic development in the Arctic should be balanced with conservation and environmental protection.

Further information

• About Parliament: Select Committees
• Visiting Parliament: Select Committees

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