Arctic Frontiers 2026: Turn of the Tide

Monday 2 of February

15:30 - 17:00

Arbeidskontoret 2, The Edge

Side Event

High Seas Treaty in the Arctic: What It Means for Biodiversity and Governance

The Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), commonly known as the High Seas Treaty, is a landmark implementing agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It establishes a new framework for the governance, conservation, and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

On January 17, 2026, the Agreement entered into force following ratification by a sufficient number of governments and international organizations. The Treaty has the potential to significantly influence the designation of marine protected areas and the regulation of access to marine genetic resources, including in ecologically sensitive regions such as the Central Arctic Ocean.

This event brings together a panel of experts to examine how the High Seas Treaty interacts with existing instruments, including the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement, and to explore what effective implementation may look like at both regional and global levels.

NCLOS participant: NCLOS Director Vito De Lucia   

Co-hosted by Centre for the Ocean and Arctic (UiT) and UiT the Arctic University of Norway.

Tuesday 3 of February

13:30 - 15:00

Arbeidskontoret 2, the Edge

Science

Governance and Policy for Sustainable Space Activities - Part 1

Space activities now play a critical role in the Arctic, supporting Earth system monitoring, communications, navigation, and security. As the space sector expands, key governance questions arise concerning access, responsibility, and regulation in an increasingly congested and geopolitically contested domain. While Arctic states and commercial actors are central to these developments, international cooperation is becoming more difficult, and existing governance frameworks remain fragmented.

This session explores the legal and political dimensions of space activities in the Arctic, with particular attention to their intersections with maritime and coastal governance. It asks whether lessons from ocean governance can inform more effective and sustainable approaches to regulating space activities.

NCLOS participant and member for the session committee: NCLOS Director Vito De Lucia

Co-organised by NCLOS

Read more about the Science Session on Arctic Frontiers' Science Themes website.

Wednesday 4 of February

13:30 - 15:00

Nordsjetéen, Saga Hotel

Workshop

Arctic Ocean: New Challenges, New Frontiers, and the Role of Science Diplomacy in Sustainable Cooperation'

The Arctic Ocean is entering a period of rapid transformation driven by environmental change, technological innovation, and shifting geopolitical priorities. As human activities in the marine realm expand, traditional distinctions between terrestrial and ocean spaces are increasingly inadequate for governing the use of Arctic ocean resources.

This workshop explores how global and regional governance frameworks can respond to these changes by balancing access to Arctic Ocean resources and services with the need to protect and understand vulnerable marine ecosystems. It critically examines the dominance of sector-specific governance approaches—particularly in areas beyond national jurisdiction—and their limitations in addressing cumulative and cross-sectoral impacts.

Emphasizing the need for more integrated and adaptive models, the workshop considers polycentric governance arrangements and stronger linkages between regional and global institutions as pathways toward more coherent, sustainable ocean governance in the Arctic.

NCLOS participant: NCLOS Director Vito De Lucia

Thursday, February 5

09:00 - 10:30

Arbeidskontoret 2, the Edge

Side Event

Turning the Tide in the Arctic: Nature-Based Solutions, 30×30, and the High Seas Treaty

The Arctic is changing fast and new governance tools are emerging to help safeguard its marine ecosystems. With the High Seas Treaty now in force, the region has a unique opportunity to contribute to the global 30×30 conservation target. Nature-based Solutions can strengthen resilience, protect culturally important species and areas, and buffer climate impacts. When integrated into area-based management, they help identify priority sites that maximize ecological, social, and connectivity benefits.

This side event convenes scientists, policy experts, and Indigenous Knowledge holders to explore how these approaches can support a pan-Arctic network of marine protected and conservation areas. Through a combination of expert presentations and a moderated discussion, participants will examine challenges, opportunities, and concrete pathways for equitable, nature-positive outcomes.

NCLOS participant: PhD Candidate Bastiaan Klerk

Access more detailed information about the events, participants and organizers at The Arctic Frontiers Conference Program 2026.