The Arctic Six alliance of northern universities will bring together researchers, policymakers, security experts and regional stakeholders for the Forum on Arctic Security: “Total Defence and Total Security in the North”, to be held in Oulu on 16–17 June 2026.
The two-day forum will focus on the rapidly changing security environment in the European Arctic. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions and collaborative workshops, participants will examine how governments, institutions and communities can strengthen resilience and preparedness in northern regions.
The discussions will be structured around three key themes: Theme 1: Total Defense, Theme 2: Transportation, and Theme 3: Preparedness in the North. Together, these themes address critical aspects of Arctic resilience and reflect the growing need for coordinated responses to emerging challenges in the region.
Building on earlier dialogue
The Oulu forum follows the inaugural Forum on Arctic Security: Total Defence in the Fennoscandian Arctic, which was held in Tromsø in April 2025. That gathering drew strong interest from across the Nordic region and highlighted the increasing importance of cooperation on Arctic security and preparedness.
The upcoming meeting will continue the dialogue while expanding collaboration among Arctic Six universities and their partners. By bringing together experts from different sectors, the forum aims to strengthen research cooperation and encourage new initiatives addressing emerging security challenges in the North.
Focus on resilience and preparedness
Under Theme 1: Total Defense, participants will examine how societies in the Arctic can strengthen integrated civil and military cooperation to respond to crises and safeguard critical infrastructure.
Theme 2: Transportation will address the role of transport networks and infrastructure in supporting economic activity, regional connectivity and emergency response across northern regions, where long distances and harsh conditions present unique challenges.
Meanwhile, Theme 3: Preparedness in the North will explore how Arctic communities, institutions and authorities can enhance readiness and resilience in the face of geopolitical shifts, environmental changes and evolving security risks.
Arctic Six collaboration
The Arctic Six alliance brings together six universities located in northern Scandinavia: Luleå University of Technology, Umeå University, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Nord University, the University of Lapland, and the University of Oulu. Through the partnership, the institutions collaborate to advance research, education and innovation related to Arctic challenges and opportunities.
By hosting the Forum on Arctic Security, the alliance hopes to further strengthen cooperation across the region and support knowledge sharing that can help shape sustainable and secure development in the Arctic.
The forum is expected to attract a wide range of participants from across the Nordic region and beyond, reflecting the growing importance of Arctic security in international research and policy discussions.
Source: University of Oulu