Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
To members of the Arctic Council family, to our neighbours, friends and partners from across the Arctic and the North Atlantic, and to everyone joining us here in Tórshavn or online:
A very warm welcome to Cold Seas, Critical Gaps.
We are pleased to host this conference together with our Arctic Council Chairship partners, Greenland and Denmark.
The Faroe Islands are a maritime nation. We depend on the sea for our fisheries, for transport and for our connections with the rest of the world.
Maritime traffic in our region is increasing.
Last year, more than 100 cruise ships visited the Faroe Islands and our surrounding waters.
At times, as many as 17,000 passengers can be on cruise ships around our islands at the same time.
That is roughly one third of our population.
This brings opportunities for tourism and our local economy. But it also brings risks.
What if a large passenger ship gets into serious trouble in our waters?
Search and rescue would be the first priority. Our emergency services, maritime authorities and volunteer rescue organisations would all have important roles to play.
But an accident of that size could quickly put our resources under pressure.
Preparedness is a high priority for the Faroese Government, especially in these uncertain times.
We are strengthening the way our national preparedness is organised and coordinated. We have also started planning a new patrol and rescue vessel.
And we are looking into developing measures that will enhance surveillance of maritime traffic around the Faroe Islands. This will give us a better picture of maritime traffic around the islands.
But even as we strengthen our own preparedness, we will continue to depend on cooperation with our neighbours.
Faroese waters cover a vast area, stretching far beyond our shores. A major accident could quickly require assistance from other countries.
And the Faroe Islands are not alone in facing these challenges.
Across the Arctic and the North Atlantic, distances are long, weather conditions can be difficult, and rescue resources are not always close by.
We need to know what help is available, how we can assist each other, and how we can work together when an accident happens.
We must also do what we can to prevent accidents in the first place.
Through the Arctic Council, Arctic States, Permanent Participants and partners have built knowledge, trust and practical cooperation on issues of common concern over many years.
The agreements on search and rescue and on marine oil pollution preparedness are good examples of what countries can achieve by working together.
At a time when international cooperation faces challenges in many parts of the world, the importance of maintaining dialogue, practical collaboration and respect for agreed rules and frameworks is as great as ever.
The Arctic Council remains a unique forum where the relevant Arctic stakeholders can come together around shared responsibilities and shared interests.
I am therefore grateful to all those who remain committed to advancing this important work.
Over the next days, you will share experience from across the Arctic and the North Atlantic. You will discuss where the gaps are, what can be improved, and how we can be better prepared.
I hope this conference will lead to practical ideas that we can take forward together.
I would also like to thank everyone who has worked to make this conference possible.
I wish you three productive days and good discussions here in Tórshavn.
Once again, welcome to the Faroe Islands.
Thank you
Kelda & mynd: ufmr.fo
