The Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Massimo Dell’Utri, represented Italy at the 2026 Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, scheduled to take place from 8 to 10 October. During the event, which brings together over 2,000 participants from more than 60 countries every year, the Undersecretary reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to the Arctic region and the importance of dialogue and international cooperation in addressing the profound changes affecting the Arctic. The Undersecretary also outlined the main thrusts of the Italian Strategy for the Arctic, which aims to strengthen our country’s role through an integrated approach combining security, scientific research, environmental protection, international cooperation and sustainable economic opportunities – issues that were also discussed during a bilateral meeting with the President of the Arctic Circle, Gruman.
Italy’s participation forms part of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s commitment to polar issues, as also confirmed by the First National Polar Conference, held in Rome from 5 to 7 October, and by forthcoming initiatives focusing on security and defence in the polar regions. Italy will continue to promote an approach based on international cooperation, scientific research, technological innovation and sustainability, contributing to the international dialogue on the environmental and geopolitical challenges affecting the Arctic.
During the visit, Undersecretary Dell’Utri then held a meeting with British Undersecretary Kumaran to strengthen cooperation between Italy and the United Kingdom, including in the Arctic context, and inaugurated the exhibition organised by the Italian Embassy in Oslo, ‘Looking Beyond’, dedicated to Italian Earth observation technology and featuring satellite images from the COSMO-SkyMed constellation.
