Ocean Connectivity Takes Center Stage at Flagship Arctic Council Chairship Conference

“The economy of the Faroe Islands and our way of life are deeply connected to the ocean,” said Bárður á Steig Nielse, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Fisheries for the Faroe Islands during the Ocean Day opening ceremony. “The waters around the Faroe Islands are located in an important meeting point between the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic. These currents shape our climate, our ecosystems and the fish stocks we are dependent on to safeguard these resources.”

While the connection between the Faroe Islands and the ocean is apparent on this archipelago situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, it’s not only coastal communities that are impacted by ocean connectivity. Christine Creyke of Gwich’in Council International, a Permanent Participant of the Arctic Council, took the stage to share how her community of Old Crow, Yukon is deeply affected by ocean connectivity.

“The Gwich’in have no lands that touch the ocean, but we are affected by it – by its health, the actions on it, the protections on it and how it cares for the species we depend on,” said Christine Creyke during her keynote address. “We are all connected to it through the Chinook, Fall Chum and Coho Salmon of the Porcupine and Yukon rivers. For thousands of years, we have and continue to steward and live alongside these species, which remain essential to the physical, cultural, and spiritual survival, dignity and wellbeing of our people.”

The importance of salmon for Arctic communities, and the ongoing salmon crisis, was highlighted throughout several sessions during Ocean Day.

“We feed our spirit from what the land provides. Eating our traditional foods is a spiritual practice. The salmon collapse is threatening our food security and our ability to pass on traditional teachings," said Christine Creyke. “We owe it to our children to root them in a sense of self that is guided by their culture.”

During Ocean Day, nearly 20 sessions explored different topics including Indigenous-led management practices, Arctic shipping, maritime safety, biodiversity monitoring, ecosystem-based management, pollution and more. View the full program and watch select recorded sections here.

The year 2026 marks the Arctic Council’s 30th anniversary – an milestone highlighted on the stage during the Ocean Connectivity Conference and UArctic Congress. The University of the Arctic (UArctic) was created through the Arctic Council and officially launched 25 years ago as a separate entity that strengthens education and research in and about the North.

“The Ocean Connectivity Conference represents the very core of Arctic Council cooperation, and its partnership with UArctic has been instrumental in broadening both the reach and impact of this flagship Chairship initiative," said Kenneth Høegh, Chair of the Arctic Council Senior Arctic Officials. “By bringing together science, Indigenous Knowledge, climate research, and ocean stewardship, this collaboration creates a stronger regional platform for dialogue, innovation, and collective action.”

At the closing ceremony, Margretha Jacobsen, Deputy Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials, highlighted the urgency to address the changes facing the marine environment as well as the importance of cooperation in both knowledge generation and decision making.

“We have seen strong evidence of knowledge that we can act upon here and now. We heard inspiring stories of adaptation and resilience, stewardship, and cooperation,” said Margretha Jacobsen. “A recurrent message coming from this conference is the need to break down silos. We must work across disciplines, borders, and knowledge systems if we are to understand change and make informed decisions to shape a sustainable future.”

Read about the conference and outcomes on UArctic's website.