Participants included HRH The Crown Princess; Minister for Education Johan Pehrson; representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs; and Franco Accordino, Head of the Digital Infrastructure Investment Unit at the European Commission. Roundtable discussions and presentations addressed, among other topics, the need for a new Swedish research icebreaker and the potential for establishing fiber-optic connectivity between Europe and Asia via the Arctic.

– We need to secure our leading position in polar research, and maintain independent access to the Arctic. Sweden has a long history as a partner in Arctic cooperation, and we will continue to be a polar nation at the forefront of research, says Minister for Education Johan Pehrson.

The icebreaker Oden has established Sweden as a global player in the Arctic. But to meet future climate challenges, ensure presence and enhance international influence, a new generation of research vessels is needed. An icebreaker with the highest ice class would enable year-round operations in polar seas — crucial for both advanced research and the expansion of digital infrastructure such as the Polar Connect fiber-optic cable.

– Year-round access to the Arctic is essential for continuous and independent research. It allows us to monitor climate change in real time, build international partnerships and maintain presence in an increasingly strategic region, says Katarina Gårdfeldt, Director of the Polar Research Secretariat.

The planned Polar Connect submarine cable was presented as a "digital silk road" — a robust and secure alternative to current communication routes through geopolitically unstable regions. The cable will link Northern Europe with Japan, South Korea and North America, with one fiber pair reserved for research and environmental monitoring.

The participants agreed that the Arctic is not only a scientific frontier, but also a key strategic region for Europe’s future. Sweden’s ability to contribute — and lead — rests on continued presence, cooperation and investments in infrastructure that support both scientific excellence and digital sovereignty.

– The next step is translating insights into action. With a new research vessel and the realization of Polar Connect, Sweden can consolidate its role as an Arctic knowledge nation — not only for our own future, but for the resilience, security and climate understanding of all of Europe, says Katarina Gårdfeldt.

Host of the meeting

Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, in collaboration with the Oden crew and the Swedish Maritime Administration