UArctic Congress 2026 Overview

The UArctic Congress 2026 program will feature 11 parallel session tracks over three days, thematic keynote sessions with chairs and panel discussions, as well as receptions. The Ocean Connectivity Conference is embedded in the program on May 26-28, with a special focus during the Ocean Day on May 28. The Congress week also includes UArctic Rectors Forum on May 27 and the UArctic Assembly on May 29. 

Note that this overview is preliminary and subject to change. 

• Monday, 25 May
  Participants are invited to a Welcome Home reception, kindly hosted by Atlantic Airways. The informal gathering offers an opportunity to pick up name badges and connect with fellow participants ahead of the start of the Congress and Ocean Connectivity Conference on Tuesday 

• Tuesday, 26 May – Opening day 
  Opening Session with a cultural performance, welcome addresses and keynote speeches, and a youth panel. Parallel sessions throughout the day, exploring all programme themes. Official Opening Reception in Tórshavn city centre: a chance to connect across disciplines, institutions, and regions.  

• Wednesday, 27 May 
  Full day of parallel sessions across the Congress themes, plus thematic keynotes and panel discussions. UArctic Rectors’ Forum: an invited meeting of institutional leaders to discuss Arctic collaboration and higher education 
  
  
• Thursday, 28 May – Ocean Day
  Ocean Day, the cornerstone of the Ocean Connectivity Conference, organized by the Kingdom of Denmark’s Chairship of the Arctic Council. The day features thematic keynote sessions on ocean connectivity and Arctic Ocean governance. The broader interdisciplinary scope of the Congress continues across all session tracks. Closing Session and Ocean Night, the final reception with cultural elements celebrating Arctic–Ocean ties.
   
• Friday, 29 May – UArctic Assembly
  UArctic Assembly, gathering UArctic member institutions and those considering or in the process of becoming members. UArctic Assembly is the annual meeting of UArctic members, which also serves as a platform of cooperation, networking and consultation. 

Registration is open on the event website, with early-bird fee available until 31 March. Read more and register here. 

For exploring the Faroe Islands, a variety of guided tours and excursions have been developed  exclusively  for Congress participants. Activities include day tours, high‑speed boat trips, hikes, and guided bike tours, taking place on selected dates between 23–30 May. These experiences offer a unique opportunity to discover the Faroe Islands. Read more here.

Visit the Congress webpages for more updates: www.uarcticcongress.fo  

The UArctic Congress 2026 will take place in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands from May 26 to 29,2026. The event is hosted by the University of the Faroe Islands in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Culture, and the Faroe Marine Research Institute.  

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