What discussions it held with partners at the recent Arctic Circle Forum in Edinburgh.

The Scottish Government was pleased to host, in partnership with the Arctic Circle organisation, Scotland and the New North, the first Arctic Circle Forum to be held in the UK. The Arctic Circle Forum allowed Scottish Government representatives to engage with policy makers, academics, business leaders and others interested in the future of the Arctic region.
During the Forum, the First Minister held discussions with Arctic Circle Chairman Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson; Iceland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson; the Faroe Islands’ Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade Poul Michelsen; and Finland’s State Secretary, Samuli Virtanen to discuss Scotland’s relationship with the Arctic region and strengthening specific bilateral links. The Minister for International Development and Europe, Dr Alasdair Allan MSP, also had meetings with the Faroe Islands’ Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Poul Michelsen and Finland’s State Secretary, Samuli Virtanen.
In addition, the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, met with Lord Deben, Chairman of the UK Committee on Climate Change, on Scotland’s strong record in tackling climate change.