In Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, the 11th edition of the Arctic Circle Assembly – the premier annual event focused on the Arctic – has come to an end. This year’s gathering, like the previous ones, brought together dozens of nations, hundreds of institutions and universities and thousands of participants.
The Arctic Circle operates as an international organisation and has, since its foundation in 2013, become the largest global network for dialogue and cooperation concerning the future of the Arctic. The forum works as a platform for engagement between governments, organisations, corporations, universities, think tanks, indigenous communities and other stakeholders, with the aim of developing discussion on necessary changes and common concerns, both public and private. The Arctic Circle is also one of the many organisations from which, since the beginning of the Special Military Operation in Ukraine, Russia has been excluded, or in which it has chosen not to participate. This, in my opinion, has significantly undermined the value of such important initiatives, given Russia’s cumbersome position and crucial role in the Arctic context.
But let us now talk about the Arctic Circle Assembly, the event that, every October, takes place in Reykjavík, bringing together the crème de la crème of Arctic culture, science, politics and beyond. In this context, we turn our attention to Italy, which, despite being a non-Arctic nation, continues to show a strong interest in the activities and events unfolding around the North Pole.
An hour-long panel, held on the evening of Thursday, the 17th of October, featured distinguished figures from Italy’s political, scientific and military spheres. The session, eloquently titled The Italian Engagement in the Arctic, saw Marcella Panucci, chief of staff at the Ministry of University and Research, speaking on behalf of Minister Anna Maria Bernini. Panucci stressed the importance of scientific cooperation and respect for international law and the sovereignty of Arctic states, highlighting Italy’s contributions to research and environmental protection through the missions of icebreaker Laura Bassi and various research bases, all funded by the ministry. In a key announcement, Italy revealed plans to host a meeting of the Arctic Circle Forum and Polar Dialogue in 2025, further reinforcing its role as a polar actor.
Speakers on the panel, moderated by Stefano Nicoletti, the Italian Ambassador to Norway and Iceland, included renowned figures such as Maria Chiara Carrozza, President of the National Research Council, and Rear Admiral Massimiliano Nannini, director of the Navy’s Hydrographic Institute. Unsurprisingly, much of the discussion focused on Italy’s research and scientific missions in the Arctic, with particular emphasis on the High North missions, the Italian Navy’s flagship initiative in these frozen waters.
Italian scientific involvement was further explored in a session on the morning of Saturday, the 19th of October, dedicated to science diplomacy. Professors from the universities of Padua and Venice took the stage, discussing Italy’s contribution to the advancement scientific research in the Arctic, as well as its long-standing presence in the region. The Dirigibile Italia base in Svalbard and the Navy’s High North programme best represent Italy’s commitment to the Arctic, an area that is becoming increasingly significant geopolitically, economically and climatically.
On the sidelines of the conference, Italy and Iceland signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the geothermal energy sector. The agreement, the result of long negotiations between the Environment Ministries of both countries, aims to expand collaboration between public institutions, research organisations and the private sector in the exploration and exploitation of geothermal resources. Key areas of cooperation include electricity generation, district heating and the operation of geothermal power plants. This signing marks a major step in formalising a structured partnership between two European leaders in this field. Marcella Panucci (the Chief of Staff at the Ministry of University and Research), again, emphasised the importance of involving the Italian private sector, highlighting Italy’s innovative technology and readiness to engage even in this region, which holds substantial economic potential.
Italy’s role in the Arctic is slowly growing, both in scientific research and international cooperation. Always ready for any future engagement, the Mediterranean country continues to reinforce its presence in this crucial region. The signing of the MoU on geothermal energy cooperation with the Icelandic Ministry of Environment is a promising step toward the development of a deeper collaboration with Arctic nations and a real contribution to the European and global energy transition.
Tommaso Bontempi
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