The Head of Cabinet of the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), Marcella Panucci, represented Italy at the Arctic Circle Annual Assembly, the largest network for international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic, held in Reykjavík, Iceland. The Arctic Circle is a sort of Davos of the Arctic and brings together over 2,000 participants from more than 60 countries each year, including heads of government, ministers, parliamentarians, representatives of indigenous communities, officials, experts, scientists, entrepreneurs, and activists working on issues related to climate change and scientific research in the Arctic region.
Panucci spoke during the plenary session of the Assembly, recalling Italy’s commitment to the Arctic, as based on the principles of compliance with international law and the sovereignty of states bordering the region, scientific collaboration, preservation of the culture and traditions of native peoples, and sustainable economic development safeguarding the environment. Panucci emphasised Italy’s major commitment to the Arctic through bases and research projects and the icebreaker ship “Laura Bassi”, all funded by the MUR. She also announced, together with the Chairman of the Arctic Circle Assembly Grimsson, Italy’s intention – at Minister Bernini’s suggestion – to hold a meeting of the Arctic Circle Forum and Polar Dialogue in 2025, both high-level international dialogue opportunities hosted by the countries most active in polar activities and dedicated to the cryosphere.
This was followed by an in-depth session dedicated to Italy’s scientific commitment in the Arctic, as moderated by the Italian Ambassador to Norway and Iceland, Stefano Nicoletti. The panel featured high-level speakers such as the President of the Italian National Research Council, Maria Chiara Carrozza, and the Directors of the Hydrographic Institute of the Italian Navy, Rear Admiral Nannini; the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), Massimo Chiappini; and the National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Claudia Brunori.
On the sidelines of the Assembly, the Italian delegation held meetings at the Icelandic Ministries of University and Research and of the Environment to discuss issues of shared interest to our two countries, as well as with the Chairman of the Arctic Circle, Grimsson. Panucci, Ambassador Nicoletti and the rest of the delegation also met with members of the Italian scientific community active in Iceland and participated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for bilateral cooperation in the geothermal sector between Italy and Iceland, as negotiated by the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Transition.
The mission of the Italian Ministry of University and Research delegation and the participation of leading Italian research figures in the Arctic at the Assembly highlighted Italy’s substantial scientific commitment and attention to a region that is destined to take on an ever-expanding role in the international geopolitical framework, as well as in the economic and climate sphere. This is a decades-long commitment guaranteed by the Italian National Research Council’s Arctic base “Dirigibile Italia” which is located in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, and the Navy’s “High North” programme, which is aimed at monitoring, mapping and developing research in the Arctic marine sector.
