On Wednesday, September 16, from 12:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative, in partnership with the Norwegian Ministry of Defense and Royal Norwegian Embassy, will host a conference on the evolution of Arctic security.
Rising geopolitical tensions and a rapidly changing security environment in the Arctic and High North have brought an increased focus to the strategic importance of the region. This event will bring together officials and experts to assess the current state of Arctic security and how the United States, Norway, and allies and partners aim to address the myriad security challenges facing the region.
Light refreshments will be served before the conference begins, and a networking reception will follow the conclusion of the conference. This event will not be live-streamed.
New policy: In-person attendees will be required to show photo ID upon arrival, and no on-site registration will be permitted. Guests will not be admitted later than twenty minutes after the event’s start time.
By registering to attend in-person, you agree to abide by the Atlantic Council’s Event Code of Conduct.
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Speakers
Agenda
Agenda subject to change.
11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Doors open
Featuring coffee and light refreshments.
12:15–12:30 p.m. | Welcome remarks
Featuring
H.E. Anniken Huitfeldt
Ambassador of Norway to the United States,
Royal Norwegian Embassy to the United States
12:30–1:15 p.m. | Keynote remarks and discussion on the Arctic air domain
Featuring
Major General Øivind Gunnerud, RNoAF
Chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force
Moderated by
Tressa Guenov
Senior Fellow and Acting Senior Director, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Atlantic Council
1:15–2:15 p.m. | Defending key terrain: The US approach to the Arctic
The Trump administration’s National Security and National Defense strategies see the Arctic as key terrain for US national security, with specific emphasis placed on its importance for homeland defense. At the same time, the United States is pushing its allies in NATO to do more in the region, with implications for the broader Alliance. How does the Arctic fit into the United States’ focus on homeland defense, and what are the implications of that focus for the US approach to the Arctic beyond North America?
Panelists to be announced.
Moderated by
Torrey Taussig
Director and Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Security Initiative,
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Atlantic Council
2:15–2:45 p.m. | Coffee break
Featuring coffee and networking opportunities.
2:45–3:45 p.m. | High North in focus: European allies and the Arctic
European allies are investing in the Arctic as part of broader investments in European security, and NATO is taking steps to bolster its presence in the region through the launch of Arctic Sentry in February 2026. With Russia posing a continued threat to the region and the United States reassessing its conventional defense role in Europe, what role should NATO play in coordinating Arctic defense efforts? Where are the Arctic allies cooperating and where can that be improved? What role should non-Arctic NATO allies play in the region?
Speakers
H.E. Anniken Huitfeldt
Ambassador of Norway to the United States,
Royal Norwegian Embassy to the United States
H.E. Jesper Møller Sørensen
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to the United States,
Embassy of Denmark to the United States
More panelists to be announced.
3:45–4:00 p.m. | Closing remarks
Featuring
Torrey Taussig
Director and Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Security Initiative,
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security,
Atlantic Council
4:00–5:30 p.m. | Networking reception
Featuring drinks and light refreshments.
Explore the program
The Transatlantic Security Initiative aims to reinforce the strong and resilient transatlantic relationship that is prepared to deter and defend, succeed in strategic competition, and harness emerging capabilities to address future threats and opportunities.