Forum for Arktisk Forskning is urging Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands to build a joint, well funded Arctic research program ahead of the International Polar Year in 2032.
DR reported on August 25 that the forum, a coordinating body for the main polar research institutions, wants the Danish Realm to improve its standing in polar science. Chair Ole Hertel, who is also pro-dean at Aarhus University, said the forum has argued for such a program for years.
According to DR, Hertel proposes a large polar research program tied to preparations for the International Polar Year in 2032, with a dedicated committee and secretariat for Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. He pointed to Norway, which began setting up a secretariat and a national scientific committee in 2024 and allocated one billion kroner to polar ocean research that year.
Beyond money for a secretariat, Hertel estimates the Realm would need a larger three-digit million amount for research activities, DR reports. Several MPs on Christiansborg back the idea of a common direction, including Social Democrat foreign affairs and Greenland spokesperson Flemming Møller Mortensen, who said climate and geopolitical change require the Realm to stand as strongly as possible.
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Naaja Nathanielsen of Inuit Ataqatigiit, chair of the Folketing’s Greenland Committee and a former Greenlandic minister, told DR that Greenland is hit twice over. She said Greenlandic research has long relied on US funding, and that a large gap is now opening. In her view, it is close to the last call if the Realm wants a serious role in the Polar Year.
Anna Falkenberg of the Faroese party Sambandsflokkurin said pooling resources can raise output, while stressing that each part of the Realm must still be able to work independently. Alex Ahrendtsen of Dansk Folkeparti warned that Greenland and Denmark risk being played off against each other. Trine Pertou Mach of Enhedslisten said the financial framework must be prioritized.
US pressure reshaping Arctic research
DR reported on July 14 that the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources will not enter new projects with US partners and generally advises staff against traveling to the United States. Euronews reported the institute limits work to existing or former US partners, a step taken to protect its data and its scientists.
Videnskab.dk reported that Ilisimatusarfik, Greenland’s university, has also stopped starting new collaborations with US institutions while continuing existing projects. Both institutions cite political risk and the repeated statements by US President Donald Trump about bringing Greenland under US control.
Hertel said the growing politicization of Arctic research makes a shared program more important, because it can secure continuity and presence. Researchers and politicians are due to discuss a common direction at a conference at Christiansborg on Thursday, DR reports.
