UArctic Congress 2026 Open

- The Arctic is not only a geographical region. Increasingly, it is a place where some of the most important questions of our time come together,” said Martin Tvede Zachariasen, Rector of the University of the Faroe Islands, in his speech at the opening of the UArctic Congress.

Prime minister, Ministers of government, Commissioner, distinguished guests, colleagues and friends:

It is a great pleasure and a true privilege to welcome you to our beautiful islands in the heart of the North Atlantic. On behalf of the University of the Faroe Islands, host of the conference, I am honoured to welcome you – researchers, educators, politicians, public servants, businesspeople and many others – to three days of networking, discussion and insight on a broad range of issues relating to the theme of the conference: Healthy Humans and Oceans in the Arctic.

The Arctic is not only a geographical region. Increasingly, it is a place where some of the most important questions of our time come together: geopolitical tensions, climate change, sustainable development, energy, security, indigenous knowledge, education, and international cooperation.

None of these challenges can be solved by one country alone. And none can be addressed by politics without research — or by research without dialogue with society.

As a vital institution entrusted with higher education and research, the University of the Faroe Islands has a unique and compelling story that goes back more than 60 years. Our first professor was the distinguished scholar and beloved poet Christian Matras. He played a central role in the study of the Faroese language — the very core of Faroese identity and culture.

Thanks to the work of Christian Matras and other scholars at the University — as well as sustained investments in the Faroese school system, the national broadcasting company, and other cultural institutions — the Faroese language is in better shape than ever before. 

Young people in the Faroe Islands are proud of their language, and it is used in all domains of society. Its boundaries are even being challenged and expanded through the creative arts.

Today, the University of the Faroe Islands plays a pivotal role in the development of Faroese society as a whole, with educational programmes spanning fields from language and history to law, economics, biology, and engineering — not least through our important responsibility to educate primary school teachers, pedagogues, and nurses.

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

Furthermore, all the support services for this conference — from the registration system to the visual design of the venue — have been delivered by Faroese contractors. Never underestimate the capacity of small but resilient Northern societies!

During the Second World War, British soldiers stationed here sometimes referred to the Faroe Islands as “the Land of Maybe” because of our close connection to a rough and unpredictable natural environment. During your stay here, you may well experience four seasons in a single day. But when circumstances place obstacles in our way, we adapt and navigate around them.

Our modern infrastructure — including an extensive road network with tunnels and subsea tunnels connecting around 90 percent of the population — has made everyday life more predictable and less dependent on the rough seas.

That being said, perhaps we all live in a “World of Maybe”. Unpredictability is simply part of the human condition. People in the North have always been adaptable and quick to adjust to ever-changing conditions, and this is truly a strength that should not be underestimated in the uncertain global times we live in today. 

Let me conclude by expressing my sincere thanks to the staff and volunteers who have helped organise this conference. You have been absolutely wonderful! I would also like to thank the leadership of UArctic for placing their trust in us as hosts of this conference. We deeply appreciate it.

Some of the best conversations at conferences do not happen only in lecture halls, but around dinner tables, during walks, and in the moments in between. I hope this congress will create many such moments.

We will do our very best to make your experience as enjoyable as possible – predictable or not. 

Welcome to UArctic Congress 2026!

Thank you!