Draft program available for the UArctic Congress 2026 and the Ocean Connectivity Conference

A wide range of activities will take place throughout the week, including: 

• Thematic plenary sessions 
• Parallel sessions and poster sessions
• Ocean Connectivity Conference 
• UArctic Rectors’ Forum and UArctic Assembly
• Receptions hosted by event sponsors and partners

Prior to the start of the event, there are also pre-meetings and workshops taking place on May 25 (some open but most of them closed).

High-level thematic plenary sessions

Bringing participants together, the program features thematic plenary sessions with keynote speakers, chairs, and panel discussions. These sessions highlight the five key themes of the event: 

• Sustainable Economic Development and International Cooperation; 
• Oceans; 
• Climate Change in the Arctic; 
• Biodiversity; and 
• Indigenous Peoples and Northern Communities.

The plenary sessions are spread over three days. Each of them will start with a keynote speech related to one of the themes, followed by a panel discussion. Afterwards, the program continues with multiple parallel sessions for participants to choose from.

Parallel and poster sessions by participants

The largest part of the program consists of parallel sessions led by participants, organized across fourteen tracks over three days. With a record number of session proposals submitted for the 2026 Congress, the program includes around 200 parallel sessions that focus on a variety of topics around the event themes. Most of the sessions are comprised of oral presentations and panels, and there will also be some roundtable discussions and workshops. In addition, nearly 300 posters will be displayed over the course of six poster sessions. All these combined, we expect to see 1,000 attendees or more joining the event.

Ocean Connectivity Conference 

The Oceans theme is brought to focus through the Ocean Connectivity Conference, organized by the Kingdom of Denmark's Chairship of the Arctic Council. The conference is embedded in the Congress and will feature dedicated parallel sessions from May 26 to 28, including a special focus on the Ocean Day on May 28. Ocean connectivity is especially important in the Arctic today, as rapid environmental change and increasing human activity require coordinated, cross-boundary approaches to manage risks and support sustainable use. As the ocean functions as a single connected system, changes in one area can have far-reaching impacts, making it essential to address connectivity to reduce risks and support resilient marine ecosystems. The Ocean Connectivity Conference supports this effort by bringing together policymakers, scientists, Indigenous representatives, and practitioners to advance understanding and practical approaches to connectivity in Arctic marine governance. 

UArctic members’ meetings

The UArctic Congress program also includes meetings for UArctic members. On May 27, the UArctic Rectors' Forum gathers invited institutional leaders for a strategic dialogue on Arctic collaboration and higher education. Concluding the Congress week, on May 29, representatives of UArctic member institutions convene for the UArctic Assembly, the annual members' meeting for the decision-making and development of the network.

Browse the draft program: www.uarcticcongress.fo/programme

The UArctic Congress 2026 will take place in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands from May 26 to 29, 2026. The event is hosted by the University of the Faroe Islands in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Culture and the Faroe Marine Research Institute.

The main Congress venue is the new multipurpose arena Við Tjarnir which is located just outside Tórshavn and will be easily accessible with a shuttle bus service to and from the city center.

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