The conference is initiated by the Embassy of Sweden in Oslo in cooperation with different Ministries and other national and regional players.
The conference will look into the forceful and dynamic development that currently characterizes the technological and industrial situation in the Barents Region.
In the invitation to the conferance the Swedish Embassy in Norway writes that all four member countries in the Barents cooperation have the highest priority on the developments in the north. Sweden currently holds the chairmanship of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council.
Read more: Barents Region needs holistic plan for infrastructure
During the two-day conference the participants will try to set a trans-boundary perspective by focusing on questions of trans boundary obstacles, labour mobility, logistics and development of infrastructure. Many industrial leaders that are working with business in the region will participate.
The mining industry in the Barents Region is growing rapidly.
Read more: Swedish Iron miner LKAB may open three new mines
Several existing mining sites are expanding their output and several new mines are opening, in northern Sweden, northern Finland and northern Russia. In the Norwegian border town of Kirkenes the iron ore mine was reopened last year.
Another topic to be highlighted at the conference is energy efficiency. Here, the participants will look into possible ways to develop renewable energy resources in an area where the ongoing climate changes have serious environmental impacts. Simultaneously, the very same climate changes open new possibilities for shipping in the High North as the sea ice retreat in the summer season.
Read more: Welcome to the new Arctic
The conference’s third topic will discuss the industrial framework conditions in the Barents Region – what needs to be done in the fields of logistics, infrastructure and labour mobility, and how to reduce border hindrances.
