Arctic conference pivots to security concerns as geopolitical tensions rise

The Arctic Spirit Conference, which started in 2013, has grown into Finland’s leading international Arctic conference, occurring every two years. The seventh Rovaniemi Arctic Spirit Conference that took place on May 5–7, 2025, with 300 international Arctic experts from 20 different countries, reflects a dramatic shift in priorities for Arctic nations as security concerns increasingly dominate what was once primarily an environmental and scientific forum.

A review of the conference agenda reveals how rapidly changing geopolitical realities have transformed Arctic discourse. Nearly half of the scheduled sessions focused explicitly on security, military preparedness, or geopolitical tensions—a marked departure from previous years’ emphasis on climate research, youth, and sustainable development.

Nordic and European leaders convened to explore the roles of transportation and infrastructure in strengthening both regional security and civilian preparedness. This explicit linking of infrastructure to defense capabilities sheds light on the region’s new security orientation. In the session “Infrastructure, Logistics and Security in the European Arctic – A Call for Nordic Cooperation,” Terje Hansen, Finnmark Transport Committee Chair highlighted a blind spot in the militarization discourse: the government’s apparent neglect of the North is driving out residents and hurting local economies like on in Kirkenes. The population decline and economic downturn, Hansen implies, ultimately weakens the very region military efforts aim to protect.

Geopolitics dominated this year’s Arctic Spirit Conference, thereby NATO, EU, U.S., Russia, and China’s Arctic roles, as well as Nordic positioning, were debated in sessions. Evolving security dynamics were addressed, with panels questioning hybrid threats, examining dual-use technology, and distinguishing between malicious activity and legitimate behavior. This focus was a tipping point for Arctic discussions when even traditional environmental discussions were reframed through a security lens.

Another major topic that was discussed focused on “Shared Sovereignties, Contested Securities, and Militarization in Sápmi,” attempting to understand how defense necessities are encroaching upon indigenous Sámi lands, frequently without adequate consultation. This emerging tension between national security interests and indigenous rights may weaken regional governance.

With the Arctic Council handing over the chairmanship on May 12, 2025, the Rovaniemi Arctic Spirit Conference discussions mirrored the shifting landscape of the region. The growing intertwining of climate issues and classic security needs underscores the profound challenges of Pan-Arctic cooperation in times of tense global relations.

Alexandra Middleton, PhD, is a Researcher at Oulu Business School, University of Oulu,  specializing in sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and Arctic business development. With a doctorate in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Oulu, she has published extensively on climate change accountability, sustainable development, demographics, human capital, innovations, and connectivity solutions in the Arctic.

This article is part of our coverage of the 2025 Rovaniemi Arctic Spirit Conference. For more perspectives, read Arctic Today’s report on the urgency of community cooperation and shared security in the Arctic.