Strengthening Arctic Collaboration at Arctic Partnership Week in Korea

On December 12, the Polar Connect team represented by Lisa Olsson (VR/Sunet), Per Nihlén (VR/Sunet) and Valter Nordh (NORDUnet), participated in the Arctic Partnership Week in Busan, Korea, together with Thomas Neidenmark (Government Offices of Sweden).

This annual event, organized by the Korea Maritime Institute and the Arctic Economic Council (among others) since 2016, serves as a key platform for discussions on Arctic policy, science, technology, shipping, energy, and resources. The theme for the 2024 edition, “The Arctic and People”, highlights the importance of collaboration in addressing challenges and opportunities in the Arctic region.

Polar Connect and the North Pole Fiber Project was presented in the Korea-Arctic Blue Economy Seminar, alongside Yisoo Kim, from the Korean company LS Marine Solution, in a session on submarine cables, chaired by Mads Qvist Fredriksen, Director of the Arctic Economic Council.

The 2024 Arctic Partnership Week aims to provide a platform where those influencing the Arctic and those living amid its transformations can connect, empathize, and explore innovative ways to work together. The event provided an excellent forum for engaging discussions and building valuable connections, reinforcing the spirit of innovation and cooperation essential to the Arctic region’s sustainable development.

Five people standing and smiling.
Thomas Neidenmark (Government Offices of Sweden), Per Nihlén (VR/Sunet), Rolf Rolf Rødven (AMAP - Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program), Valter Nordh (NORDUnet), and Lisa Olsson (VR/Sunet).

Per Nihlén

Organisation: Sunet, Swedish Research Council
Title: Chair of the Polar Connect Advisory Board and Chief Technology Officer and Inventory

Per is the Chair of the Polar Connect Advisory Board . He serves as Head of Unit at  the Swedish Research Council, where he leads the development and operation of Sweden’s national infrastructure for research and education in networking and digital communication. With over three decades of experience in digital infrastructure and public-sector innovation, Per leadership has been instrumental in advancing high-capacity networks that support research collaboration, data-intensive science, and education across the Nordic region. Per is also Chair of the Board of the Foundation for the Development of Telematics, a grant-making foundation that supports the advancement of high-performance digital infrastructure in Sweden. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Netnod, representing the foundation as owner and contributing to the governance of Sweden’s critical internet infrastructure. Per has been a trusted advisor to government agencies, research institutions, and international collaborations.

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