12 October 2016
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon travelled to Reykjavik to address the Arctic Circle Assembly and forge closer ties with Nordic and Arctic neighbours.
The Assembly is a gathering of around 2,000 delegates from 50 countries with an interest in the development of the Arctic. Ms Sturgeon spoke on Scotland’s actions to cut emissions and announced £1 million to support developing countries measure and tackle climate change.
.@ScotGovFM @NicolaSturgeon speaks at the Arctic Circle Assembly 2016 in Reykjavik ⚡️ https://t.co/1RK7U1t2jL #ArcticCircle2016
— Scottish Government (@scotgov) October 7, 2016
Ms Sturgeon said:
Scotland may not geographically be part of the Arctic Circle, but we are committed to acting on climate change and limiting global temperature increases to below 1.5 degrees.
“We know the most damaging effects of climate change are in developing nations and fall disproportionately on the very young, the very old and the very poor. Following the Paris Agreement on climate change, countries can’t just stand back and wait – we all have to deliver.”
The First Minister then met the Prime Minister of Iceland Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson and Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Lilja Alfreðsdóttir to develop closer links between Scotland and Iceland.
FM @NicolaSturgeon met Icelandic Prime Minister, Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson in Reykjavik today pic.twitter.com/3Ivqm8uaTz
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) October 7, 2016
FM @NicolaSturgeon today met Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini, to deepen relations between two countries. pic.twitter.com/tmqAqzozxX
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) October 7, 2016
Given the importance of tourism to both Scotland and Iceland, the First Minister also witnessed VisitScotland and the Icelandic Tourist Authority agree to share information and co-operate more closely on tourism matters.
.@NicolaSturgeon set to announce historic tourism agreement between VisitScotland and Icelandic Tourist Board https://t.co/SUrPGIGXoE pic.twitter.com/iWuu4qnBGg
— VisitScotland News (@VisitScotNews) October 7, 2016