As part of the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC) 2019 a seminar was arranged by the Regional Partnership of the Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPA) and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The session addressed rural and sparsely populated areas as both forerunners in the supply of renewable energy and as regions with large needs in infrastructure for renewable energy and clean mobility.
Higher ambitions, more cooperation and actions together with the people living and working in the Arctic, were some of the conclusions when the Crown Princesses, Sweden’s minister of foreign affairs, The European External Action Service and the European Commission hosted EU Arctic Forum and the EU indigenous peoples dialogue in Umeå 3-4th October.
In connection with the EU Arctic Forum in Umeå 3-4 October 2019, the Northern Sparsely Populated Areas Network, NSPA, would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the EU Commission and the European External Action Service for the close, good and fruitful cooperation on the Arctic. The European Union is an important actor on Arctic matters together with its regional partners in the European Arctic of Sweden and Finland, as well as the close neighbors in North Norway.
The EU Arctic Forum vill be held in Umeå, Sweden, on the 3-4 of October 2019 and organised by the European Commission, the European External Action Service, and the Government of Sweden.
During this year’s NSPA Forum, Norway hosted the conference, which took place in beautiful Tromsø. Interesting issues were addressed, in terms of taking steps forward in the regional development of the Arctic, that lie ahead in the future of Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPA).
The initiative of OECD about developing regions and cities in the world with mining and extraction industries started 2017 and encourages international cooperation among mining stakeholders, including the regions in NSPA.
We will have discussions on the OECD-report and the Arctic Stakeholder Forum, as well as the new Arctic Investment Platform – how can the regions best contribute in the establishment of the fund? We will also touch upon the labour market and competence development in the NSPA – can Interreg be part of the solution? The forum will contribute to possible solutions to some of the challenges our regions face, as well as being updated on the important discussions and decisions taking place in the EU this year. Register before the 29 of April!