Why are nations that have no Arctic territory and no observer status in Arctic governance bodies interested in the region and what do they have to contribute?

Joining the conversation are:

• Jefferson Simões, Professor at the Universidade Federal de Rio Grande do Sul, Member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, and Former Vice-President of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR)
• Eda Ayaydin, Lecturer at the University of London Institute in Paris and Researcher at the Malaurie Institute of Arctic Research
• Salomé Mormentyn, Polar Initiative Manager at the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
• Céline Rodrigues, Researcher at the Portuguese Institute of International Relations (IPRI-NOVA)

The Session is moderated by Andreas Raspotnik, Director of the High North Center for Business and Governance at Nord University, Norway, and Senior Researcher at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Norway.

This discussion was recorded live at the Arctic Circle Rome Forum — Polar Dialogue, held March 3rd–4th, 2026.

Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization.

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