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Event Report
[Event Report] Arctic Connections 2025 and the Italy-Japan Seminar on Arctic Cooperation
Rome and Florence, 31 March – 3 April 2025
2025.04.18
From 31 March to 3 April 2025, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) took part in a series of high-profile Arctic-themed events in Italy, affirming the Foundation's growing leadership in advancing dialogue, scientific collaboration, and multilateral diplomacy in the polar regions.
SPF’s involvement began with the international conference "Arctic Connections 2025 – Space in the Arctic", co-organized by the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI), the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Rome, and Nord University’s High North Center for Business and Governance. Held on 31 March and 1 April at SIOI headquarters, the two-day event featured four thematic panels and a concluding roundtable titled “Arctic Eight and Beyond.” The conference focused on space governance in the Arctic, communication infrastructure, sustainability in the space industry, and emerging governance challenges beyond the traditional Arctic states.
SPF’s involvement began with the international conference "Arctic Connections 2025 – Space in the Arctic", co-organized by the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI), the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Rome, and Nord University’s High North Center for Business and Governance. Held on 31 March and 1 April at SIOI headquarters, the two-day event featured four thematic panels and a concluding roundtable titled “Arctic Eight and Beyond.” The conference focused on space governance in the Arctic, communication infrastructure, sustainability in the space industry, and emerging governance challenges beyond the traditional Arctic states.
Dr. Gunnar Rekvig delivered his speech at Arctic Connections 2025
Dr. Gunnar Rekvig, Senior Research Fellow at SPF, participated as a panelist in the session “Italy and the Arctics,” where he examined the growing role of non-Arctic states such as Japan and Italy in Arctic governance. His intervention called attention to the limitations of the current NATO-dominated Arctic Council format and proposed a more balanced and inclusive multilateral framework. Dr. Rekvig emphasized that emerging actors like Japan, Italy, India, and Singapore could bring valuable contributions to Arctic diplomacy in a time marked by heightened geopolitical tensions and renewed militarization. His remarks resonated strongly with participants and were highlighted in national media coverage.
Prominent figures at Arctic Connections 2025 included the Special Envoy for the Arctic, Ambassador Agostino Pinna, and Undersecretary of State Giorgio Silli from Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their involvement underscored the Italian government’s intent to deepen its Arctic engagement through scientific, economic, and diplomatic channels. The conference also served as a precursor to the upcoming "Arctic Circle Rome Forum – Polar Dialogue", scheduled for January 2026.
Prominent figures at Arctic Connections 2025 included the Special Envoy for the Arctic, Ambassador Agostino Pinna, and Undersecretary of State Giorgio Silli from Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their involvement underscored the Italian government’s intent to deepen its Arctic engagement through scientific, economic, and diplomatic channels. The conference also served as a precursor to the upcoming "Arctic Circle Rome Forum – Polar Dialogue", scheduled for January 2026.
Dr. Fabrizio Bozzato spoke at the seminar “Italy and Japan: Common Perspectives in the Arctic”
On 2 April, SPF co-organized a high-level seminar titled "Italy and Japan: Common Perspectives in the Arctic" with the Italian Navy's Hydrographic Institute and SIOI. The event was held in the Central Library of Palazzo della Marina in Rome and featured three focused panels covering geopolitical dynamics, scientific collaboration, and sustainable development. SPF President Prof. Atsushi Sunami delivered the closing remarks, highlighting SPF’s commitment to constructive science-policy-diplomacy interfaces. SPF Senior Fellows Prof. Hiroyuki Enomoto and Prof. Natsuhiko Otsuka contributed their insights as panelists, while SPF Senior Research Fellow Ambassador Fabrizio Bozzato introduced the Blue Infinity Loop concept, originally developed by OPRI-SPF Maritime Security Team (Fellow Emeritus RADM (Ret.) Kazumine Akimoto, Director of Policy Research of the Tokyo Foundation Dr. Yuta Komori (Former Senior Research Fellow of OPRI-SPF) and Senior Research Fellow Dr. Xiang Gao), positioning the Arctic as a pivotal point in Japan’s broader ocean strategy.
Dr. Gunnar Rekvig delivered a lecture at the EUI
On 3 April, SPF extended its engagement to Florence, where Dr. Rekvig delivered a guest lecture at the European University Institute (EUI) as part of the Global Governance Programme. His talk, titled "Trust and Distrust in the Nordic Arctic: The Legacy and Relevance of the Nordic Peace", explored historical trust-building mechanisms in the Arctic and their relevance in today’s increasingly fragmented strategic environment.
Collectively, these events demonstrate SPF’s expanding footprint in international Arctic dialogue and reinforce its vision of a peaceful, inclusive, and scientifically grounded approach to polar governance. By facilitating cross-regional cooperation and championing non-Arctic perspectives, SPF continues to shape the future of Arctic diplomacy.
Collectively, these events demonstrate SPF’s expanding footprint in international Arctic dialogue and reinforce its vision of a peaceful, inclusive, and scientifically grounded approach to polar governance. By facilitating cross-regional cooperation and championing non-Arctic perspectives, SPF continues to shape the future of Arctic diplomacy.
(by Fabrizio Bozzato, Senior Research Fellow, SPF)