UArctic Congress 2026: Day 2

Three thematic plenaries 

The second day of the UArctic Congress 2026 opened with the plenary session on Indigenous peoples and northern communities, with emphasis on resilience and adaptation. Keynotes were given by Pál Weihe, Affiliated Professor in Public Health at the University of the Faroe Islands, and Sylvia Moore, UArctic Chair in Indigenous and Northern Education and Associate Professor at Memorial University. In his keynote, Weihe discussed the “Arctic dilemma” in which traditional food sources are accumulating toxic contaminants, but as these foods are often linked to cultural identities, traditions and food security, losing them would have social, cultural and psychological consequences. Moore’s keynote focused on the strength and resilience of communities, highlighting how resilience develops through relationships and feelings of belonging. She also spoke about culturally grounded education, and the need for creating conditions in which youth can develop resilience. 

The plenary panel continued the discussion on resilience, and also addressed the connection between cultural identity and health. The discussion topics included e.g. the connection between resilience and thriving culture, the importance of language, self-determination, and recognition of Indigenous rights. 

The second plenary of the day focused on climate change in the Arctic, with emphasis on mitigative adaptation and living with climate change. In the keynote speech, Parnuna Egede Dahl, Special Advisor at Oceans North Kalaallit Nunaat, spoke about the new local realities and uncertainties that communities are faced with due to climate change, and highlighted some of the work of Oceans North with communities. She also emphasized the importance of bridging knowledge systems for more nuanced and stronger understanding.  

Continuing the conversation around resilience and adaptation, the plenary panelists discussed e.g. the structural and cultural barriers to dealing with climate change, the co-production of knowledge, and the need for and importance of community action, place-based local solutions and local leadership. 

The last thematic plenary session of the day highlighted biodiversity, with focus on the importance of monitoring Arctic marine biodiversity. The keynote was given by Philippe Archambault, Professor at Université Laval, Scientific Director of ArcticNet, and member of the UArctic Thematic Network on Arctic Marine Biodiversity. His keynote discussed, among other things, the threats to marine biodiversity such as increase in shipping – which may introduce new, invasive species to the Arctic – and habitat losses of e.g. fish and kelp. In addition to monitoring, he emphasized the importance of understanding the ecosystems and their functioning, collaboration and data sharing, and taking action towards conservation.  

The plenary panelists highlighted the different ways that the work and initiatives of the Arctic Council are helping address some of the challenges around biodiversity. The panel especially noted the Arctic Council’s structure as a strength, with inclusion of States, Observers, Working Groups, and Permanent Participants and how they contribute towards Arctic biodiversity collaboration. 

Parallel and poster sessions 

Over 70 parallel sessions ran throughout the day, bringing a wide range of perspectives across all themes. Additionally, two poster sessions featured over 60 posters on display with a thematic focus on oceans, biodiversity, and sustainable economic development and international cooperation. Some examples of the topics that were discussed and presented on the second day of the Congress:  

• Meeting Societal Needs in the Arctic through Collaboration: Knowledge-Policy-Action Networks 
• Safeguarding seabird populations in a rapidly changing Arctic 
• Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Fisheries: Methods, Monitoring, and Practice 
• The Deep Divide: Arctic Seabed Mining versus Deep-sea Marine Biodiversity and Food Security 
• Arctic Marine Biodiversity: Current Insights and Knowledge Gaps 
• Transforming Arctic Landscapes: Earth Science Perspectives on Environmental Change in a Rapidly Warming North 
• Indigenous Knowledge and Citizen Science in Arctic Biodiversity Monitoring 
• One Health Solutions Toward the Health of Humans, Animals, and Environment in the Arctic 
• Strengthening Indigenous Models of Maternal and Child Health in the Arctic 
• Northern Indigenous Futures: Sovereignty Through the Arts 
• Resilient Multilingual Communities in the North 
• Youth-led mental health action in Greenland 
• Solid Waste Management in the Arctic: Issues, Complexity, and Sustainable Future 

Rectors’ Forum 

Concurrent to the thematic program of the day, leadership of UArctic’s higher education members convened for the UArctic Rectors’ Forum. Focusing on the role of universities in serving the needs of small societies, the meeting provided the participants with an opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss mutual issues, and strengthen connections between institutions. 

Thematic plenary, Indigenous Peoples and Northern Communities 

Chair: Bergur Djurhuus Hansen, Associate Professor, University of the Faroe Islands  

Keynotes: 

• Pál Weihe, Affiliated Professor in Public Health, University of the Faroe Islands 
• Sylvia Moore, Associate Professor and UArctic Chair in Indigenous and Northern Education, Memorial University 

Panelists: 

• Gunn-Britt Retter, Head of the Arctic and Environment Unit, Saami Council 
• Malou Platou Johansen, Lecturer, University of Greenland 
• Heather Agnatok, Programme Coordinator and UArctic Fellow, Memorial University 
• Liisa Holmberg, Special Advisor for the Arctic Indigenous Cinema Master’s Programme, University of Lapland 
• Sylvia Moore, Associate Professor and UArctic Chair in Indigenous and Northern Education, Memorial University
• Pál Weihe, Affiliated Professor in Public Health, University of the Faroe Islands

Thematic plenary, Climate Change in the Arctic 

Chair: Ragnheiður Bogadóttir, Associate Professor, University of the Faroe Islands 

Keynote: Parnuna Egede Dahl, PhD, Special Advisor, Oceans North 

Panelists: 

• Barbara Will, Member of the UArctic Board 
• Anders Oskal, Executive Director of the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry and Secretary General of the Association of World Reindeer Herders 
• Parnuna Egede Dahl, PhD, Special Advisor, Oceans North 

Thematic plenary, Biodiversity 

Chair: Anni Djurhuus, Associate Professor and Faculty Research Leader, University of the Faroe Islands 

Keynote: Philippe Archambault, Professor at Université Laval, Scientific Director of ArcticNet, member of the UArctic Thematic Network on Arctic Marine Biodiversity 

Panelists: 

• Tom Christensen, Head of Section – Arctic Environment, Aarhus University 
• Victoria Qutuuq Buschman, Marine Management Advisor, Inuit Circumpolar Council Greenland 
• Philippe Archambault, Professor at Université Laval, Scientific Director of ArcticNet, member of the UArctic Thematic Network on Arctic Marine Biodiversity