”The Himalayan and Arctic Ecosystems: India-Finland Partnership for a Sustainable Future”

Arctic Centre and the Embassy of India in Finland are organizing a common event on 21st of January. Participation is free of charge. If you would like to participate, please inform in advance (by 16.1.2026) to anne.raja-hanhela@ulapland.fi

Coffee/tea is included for all participants. After the event, there will be an opportunity to purchase lunch at your own expense.

India and Finland Arctic Dialogue – ”The Himalayan and Arctic Ecosystems: India-Finland Partnership for a Sustainable Future”

Time: Wednesday 21, January 2026 at 10 am –1 pm
Place: Aurora room, Arktikum

Program:

09.30 Coffee served

10.00–10.20 Opening remarks

– Moderator – Markku Heikkilä, Head of Science Communications, Arctic Centre
– Antti Syväjärvi, Rector, University of Lapland
– Eemeli Kajula, Chair of City Council, City of Rovaniemi

10.20–10:45 Welcome remarks

– Pooja Kapur, Additional Secretary (Northern Europe), Ministry of External Affairs, India
– Jari Sinkari, Director General, Department for Asia and Oceania, MFA, Finland
– Hemant H. Kotalwar, Ambassador of India to Finland

10.45–11:00 Group photo and coffee break

11.00–11:50 Special remarks and overview of Arctic policies of India and Finland

– Kalle Kankaanpää, Ambassador for Arctic Affairs, Finland
– Olga Oinas-Panuma, MP, Chair, Finnish Delegation to the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region
– Manish Tiwari, Group Director, Arctic Operations, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), India
– Liisa Ansala, CEO, Lapland Chamber of Commerce

11:50–13.00 Panel discussion on shared climate challenges and cooperation opportunities between the Himalayas and the Arctic

– Professor John Moore, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland (climate interventions)
– Professor Kamrul Hossain, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland (legal aspects)
– Associate Fellow Sayantan Halder, Observer Research Foundation, India
– Researcher Krittika Singh, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
– Professor Sanna Kopra, Arctic Centre (geopolitics and planetary approach)
– Researcher Medy Dervovic, Arctic Centre (non-Arctic states in the Arctic)
– Senior Researcher Tanja Joona, Arctic Centre (Just green transition)

Closing

13.00–14.00 Lunch and visit to Arktikum Science Centre