On Monday, November 13, UArctic President Lars Kullerud gave a keynote speech at the 10th Polar Law Symposium, one of the side events of the Arctic Spirit conference organized in partnership with the UArctic Thematic Network on Arctic Law. The annual symposium examines the implications of the challenges faced by the polar regions for international law and policy, and makes recommendations on appropriate actions by states, policy makers and other international actors to respond to these emerging and re-emerging challenges.

“UArctic is proud of the achievements of the Thematic Network on Arctic Law," Lars Kullerud says. "I would like to challenge the northern law community to help make the Arctic a model for the entire world; a model for adaptable legal regimes that are ahead of the development in a changing future, with globalization and climate change, and reflecting traditional lifestyles that embrace time and space flexibly."

Today, on November 15 at 15:30–17:00 (UMT+2), President Kullerud is also a panelist in the discussion focusing on the United Nations' Sustainable Development goals, and what the contributions and needs of Arctic science are in this context. The panel from the Tieva Hall is also streamed live.

“The Sustainable Development goals provide a holistic framework for thinking on the development of the Arctic regions. We need an in-depth study of existing strategies and actions by states, regional and private actors on how they address these goals. It is essential that they ensure sustainable development for the indigenous peoples and other northerners,” Kullerud remarks.

UArctic is also represented in the conference program by Arja Rautio (UArctic Vice-President Research), Florian Stammler (Lead of the UArctic Thematic Network on Arctic Extractive Industries), Tuija Turunen (Lead of the UArctic Thematic Network on Teacher Education for Social Justice and Diversity in Education), and Liisa Holmberg (Chair of the Council of UArctic).

Watch the Arctic Spirit live stream here