Dear all of you, friends of the North, good afternoon!

It is a great pleasure to be here today and to participate in the panel discussion which addresses a theme that lies at the heart of many of the issues discussed over the past two days.

The People of the North - and how we can make sure that families thrive, young people stay, and new talent are attracted to the High North. 

I my introductory comments I would like to highlight three main points in.

First, Norway’s High North policy puts people at its core. 

Norway’s High North strategy was presented last autumn. It aims to ensure that North Norway is home to vibrant local communities where people want to live, while also strengthening our national security and preparedness. I live here in Northern Norway myself, and this is something I care deeply about.

My second point is that the only way to achieve our ambitious goal of increasing the population in the High North, is to ensure that people view the future here as promising.

We have a strong starting point.

As you all know. The Norwegian part of the High North is a highly developed, modern region of our country. Almost ten percent of the Norwegian population lives in the High North.

We have strong local communities, a significant business and research environment, considerable natural resources, and access to energy in abundance.

Safe, well-functioning local communities are essential for maintaining settlement patterns and activity levels. The same applies to opportunities for young people to get education and find interesting and rewarding jobs. Not only the first job, but the second and third as well.

The economic competitiveness and the attractiveness of the high north also hinge on its ability to transition from reliance on traditional resource-based industries, such as forestry, fishing, mining and heavy industry, to diversified, high-value economic sectors.

Norway’s role as a knowledge nation in the Arctic is important. Research, education, and competence development in the north are not only meant to create growth, but also to strengthen our country’s strategic position.

That is why we are investing in research, in competence, and in knowledge about and for the north. Knowledge gives us insight, foresight, and credibility.

Alongside these priorities, we have launched new initiatives:

One billion NOK for Polhavet 2050 – a visionary investment in Arctic knowledge and cooperation.

Northern Norway possesses unique assets, including abundant natural resources and a tradition of innovation which can be leveraged to overcome challenges such as limited infrastructure and long distances.

The region possesses strong potential for innovation, particularly in emerging sectors like digital services, bioeconomy, and sustainable industries.

To fully succeed - and this brings me to my third point – we need to cooperate with our fellow allies and close neighbours across the borders in the High North.

Norway must be an active ally and contribute with knowledge, surveillance, and preparedness in a region where an increasing number of major powers have interests.

Cooperating with our neighbours is also a matter of cooperation on local and regional level. We have long traditions on cross-border dialogue and cooperation here in the High North.

The Government has prioritised continued participating in the EU’s Interreg programmes, to support regional on-the-ground cooperation across our national borders and local development in the High North. Furthermore, we aim to strengthen the North-Nordic cooperation through the efforts of the Norwegian Barents Secretariat.

We will continue to take part in the Nordic North Atlantic Cooperation (NORA), where knowledge sharing and cooperation between small scale stakeholders promote development at the local level.

Resilience and trust are outcomes of cooperation that bring people together and help tackle joint and even unexpected challenges in the upcoming years - while also helping communities to become more attractive places for living, working, studying and thriving.

To sum up: To succeed in keeping young people and attracting new ones - the future in the north must be perceived as promising.

There are many answers to what the important factors are. This is why sharing perspectives and experiences through meeting places like this is very important.

Thank you for your attention and your continuing effort!