Energy Commissioner Simson visits Iceland and attends the Arctic Circle Assembly
Harpa Conference Hall filled with life during the 11th annual Arctic Circle Assembly which took place in Reykjavík 17-19 October 2024. EU Commissioner for Energy, Ms Kadri Simson, travelled to Iceland to take part in the Assembly, speaking at the Opening Session alongside other high-level guests from all around the world.
In her keynote speech, the Commissioner focused on the EU’s energy situation and the untapped potential for renewable energy in the Arctic, which could contribute to increased energy security, and support sustainable development in the region.
Europe's energy security is bound to the health of the Arctic. By protecting this vital region, by embracing renewables and ensuring a just transition, we will secure a better future for us all. - Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simson speaking at ACA 2024
European Union, 2024
As a part of the visit, Commissioner Simson met with the President of Iceland, Ms Halla Tómasdóttir, at the Presidential Residence Bessastaðir, where they discussed the actions needed to fight climate change, the importance geothermal energy, and the situation in Ukraine following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The EU Ambassador to Iceland, Ms Clara Ganslandt, joined the Commissioner alongside Deputy Head of Cabinet Mr Peeter Kadarik. The Commissioner met with the Prime Minister of Iceland, Mr Bjarni Benediktsson, where they exchanged views on energy policies, a just green transition and the EEA Agreement. The Commissioner underlined that Iceland is one of the EU's closest partners, a relationship anchored in common values and in the EEA cooperation, a cooperation that has been standing firmly for 30 years. Later, Commissioner Simson also met with the Icelandic Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate, Mr Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, where they discussed geothermal energy, green technologies, and enhancing EU-Iceland cooperation in the field of energy.
On the sidelines of the Assembly, Commissioner Simson had a brief exchange with the Chinese Special Envoy for Climate Change, Mr Liu Zhenmin, where they discussed the upcoming COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the importance of following up on previous pledges on a global scale. The Commissioner also had the opportunity to visit the Hellisheiði geothermal power plant, Iceland's largest geothermal powerplant, where she was able to witness first hand the importance of geothermal power to the Icelandic energy system and the innovative Carbfix carbon capture project.
The EU was well represented at ACA as multiple EU representatives spoke in panels and break-out sessions:
The EU's Special Envoy for Arctic Matters, Ms Claude Véron-Réville, spoke on the EU's Arctic Policy in a panel discussion entitled "The European Union and the World in 2024: New Input for the EU's Arctic Policy" as well as on science and research cooperation in a session entitled "Science Collaboration and Security Dynamics in the Arctic Region".
Ms Elisabeth Hamdouch-Fuehrer, Deputy Head of Unit of Earth Observation at DG DEFIS (Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space), gave a presentation about the importance of EU space programmes like Copernicus and Galileo to Arctic and climate researchers entitled: "EU Space Programme: Copernicus - An Evolving Earth Observation System for Polar Monitoring".
Ms Hamdouch-Feuhrer and Mr Raphael Goulet, Head of Unit for Ocean Governance, Law of the Sea and the Arctic, at the European Commission, also participated in a panel discussion on "The EU and Innovation for Sustanable development in the Arctic". Mr Goulet also spoke in a panel on Arctic Youth Cooperation.
European Union, 2024
European Union, 2024
European Union, 2024
European Union, 2024
European Union, 2024
European Union, 2024
European Union, 2024
