Costas, EU Commissioner: “This Is Unfair”

“It is not fair that I have to speak after this outstanding performance. I have no chance of capturing your attention now,” said the EU Commissioner for Fisheries, who was scheduled to speak this morning immediately after Eivør performed at the opening of UArctic Congress 2026.

Many in the large audience at Tjarnir smiled and applauded in agreement when Commissioner Costas made his heartfelt remark — partly in jest, though not entirely. The packed arena had just erupted in applause after Eivør performed the iconic song Trøllabundin followed by Gullspunnin during the opening ceremony earlier this morning.

The audience did not disappoint Costas either, however, as he also received warm applause after his speech on cooperation, oceans, and fisheries. He is pictured here beside Prime Minister Beinir Johannesen.

There was heavy traffic toward the large multi-purpose hall early this morning as 1,400 researchers, educators, politicians, journalists, and participants arrived for the opening of UArctic Congress 2026, hosted this week by the University of the Faroe Islands.

UArctic is the name of the Arctic university network — a collaboration of more than 200 universities and institutions that prioritise research and higher education in the Arctic.

Magni Mohr, Pro-Rector for Research at the University, explained in the programme GMF on the public broadcaster Kringvarp Føroya what lies ahead over the coming days. 

Bárður á Steig Nielsen, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Fisheries, officially opened the congress. Yesterday, he and the EU Commissioner toured several locations in the Faroe Islands and also held meetings on matters of mutual interest to the Faroe Islands and the EU.

Bárður á Lakjuni, Minister of Children and Education, Research and Culture, delivered a powerful speech in which he told the guests how strongly connected the Faroe Islands have always been to the outside world, simply because such connections are essential for living here and developing Faroese society.

“Research is not a luxury for a small nation like ours", he said.

Elsa Berg, Mayor of Tórshavn, said in her speech that she was delighted so many researchers with extensive knowledge of climate change and the environment had come to the Faroe Islands. She stressed that the urgent climate crisis requires much stronger action and cooperation, and that no country alone can make a meaningful difference in this field. Municipalities, being so close to citizens, also have a crucial role to play in this work, she said.

When Martin Tvede Zachariasen, Rector of the University of the Faroe Islands, addressed the audience as host, he said that organising the Faroe Islands’ largest conference had been a tremendous undertaking that truly demonstrates the remarkable strength and professionalism of suppliers and subcontractors in the Faroe Islands.

“UArctic Congress 2026 stands as a testament to the professional capacity and international outlook of the University of the Faroe Islands. Hosting a conference with more participants than the University has students has been a major undertaking. Faroese researchers are well represented at the conference, and I am proud of that.”

“Furthermore, all support services for the conference — from the registration system to the venue’s visual design — have been delivered by Faroese companies. Never underestimate the capabilities of small but resilient Northern societies!” the Rector said, among other things.

Read the extensive conference programme, which continues until Friday, HERE.

And read the Rector’s full speech HERE.

Marita Rasmussen, Director of the Faroe Marine Research Institute, at the podium. Also on stage — in addition to the Rector of the University — were Kenneth Høeg, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials, and Liisa Holmberg, Chair of the UArctic Assembly, which will hold its general meeting at Kongshøll at the University of the Faroe Islands on Friday.

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Chair of Arctic Circle Polar Dialogue, delivered an excellent speech during the opening ceremony, as did Sara Olsvig, Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council. Both were also guests of journalist Óluva Zachariasen yesterday evening at a public Scandinavian and Faroese event organised by the University and Tórshavn Municipality at Kongshøll under the title “Small Nations in the Age of Great Power Rivalry.”

The opening concluded with a youth panel representing the chairship of the UArctic Youth Committee, moderated by Annika Helgadóttir Davidsen, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of the Faroe Islands.

The theme of the youth panel was “A Resilient North Begins with Youth,” and the young participants in the discussion were Makhala Kollslíð, Per-Henning Mathisen, and Taylor Jobin.