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Home » News » International Engagements » Scotland and the new north – FM in Iceland

Scotland and the new north – FM in Iceland

14 October 2017

The First Minister has returned from Iceland, where she participated in the Arctic Circle Assembly, while also meeting a range of Nordic representatives to promote Scottish interest and highlight the mutual benefits of closer links among northern nations.

Lively Q&A for @NicolaSturgeon & #arcticcircle2017 chair Olafur Grimsson, following her speech – can read here: https://t.co/8zqkI9ZVCU pic.twitter.com/JNPpuf9GPE

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) October 13, 2017

The Arctic Circle Assembly is an annual gathering in Reykjavik of governments, organisations and corporations with an interest in securing a sustainable future for the arctic region.

Nicola Sturgeon spoke to the assembly about Scotland’s leadership role in tackling climate change – and why there are many benefits of investing in a low carbon future.

She said:

Action on climate change is, first and foremost, an overwhelming moral imperative – and Scotland is leading the way internationally in combatting it.

“Yet with Scotland employing almost 60,000 people in low carbon industries, there is still scope for significant further growth. Our northern nation neighbours are obvious partners in this.

“Scotland is taking an increasingly prominent role in the work of the Arctic Circle Assembly and associated cooperation, and I believe there are clear benefits for us all by forming closer ties.”

While in Reykjavik the First Minister also visited Carbon Recycling International – a highly innovative company that is processing carbon dioxide into methanol for use as a clean source of biofuel. The technology has potential applications for helping Scotland achieve its future green energy ambitions.

FM @NicolaSturgeon visited #CarbonRecyclingInternational in #Iceland – innovative tech that converts C02 into methanol for use as biofuel pic.twitter.com/VpqrZDwiHU

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) October 12, 2017

The First Minister held bilateral discussions with the Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, and Iceland’s foreign minister Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson.

The opportunities presented by the Arctic Circle Assembly meant that she was also able to make important connections with other senior figures, including the UN Convention on Climate Change Executive Secretary, Patricia Espinosa. They covered the importance of long term commitment to addressing climate change – and the need for ambitious targets, such as the approach Scotland is taking.

Nicola Sturgeon also met with WOW Air CEO Skúli Mogensen, to discuss their plans for future flights from Scotland. Mr Mogensen shared that WOW’s new generation aircraft means they provide the most fuel efficient air travel in the industry, reducing the carbon footprint.

FM visit WOW air

The two-day visit concluded with a reception attended by more than 100 guests to highlight that in November the Scotland will host an Arctic Circle Forum in Edinburgh, when the important connections made by the First Minister in Iceland can be further strengthened.

FM @NicolaSturgeon met Denmark's @EllemannKaren at reception to highlight @ArcticAssembly forum coming to Scotland https://t.co/2R3689Qm7C pic.twitter.com/7qa8vOIRJh

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) October 14, 2017

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We’re now in the pre-election period. Our social media activity is restricted until after the @ScotParl election on 6 May. Read more information ➡ bit.ly/PreElectionGui…

As part of Kinship Care Week First Minister @NicolaSturgeon has sent a message of thanks to kinship carers for everything they do to support children & young people #KinshipCareWeek pic.twitter.com/0b8ado4B6x

FM @NicolaSturgeon met representatives from the education sector to thank them for their efforts during the pandemic. Even though the group works across very different areas they all agreed that among the challenges there has been a lot to celebrate in the last 12 months 👏 pic.twitter.com/LgoeKULJpZ

Watch First Minister @NicolaSturgeon wish everyone celebrating a peaceful and happy #ChineseNewYear ⬇️ #YearOfTheOx pic.twitter.com/Wb6TxVJQrS

A year on from the publication of the Care Review, First Minister @NicolaSturgeon has reaffirmed her commitment to delivering the changes needed to improve the lives of care experienced people #KeepThePromise pic.twitter.com/1y9gOn3HXf

Scotland is committed to ensuring that we use the full potential of the Coalition to deliver ambitious and deliverable plans for a just transition to net zero. We must work together to address the climate crisis and build a greener, fairer and more equal world. pic.twitter.com/hXFnBw0THV

First Minister @NicolaSturgeon has spoken to Minister-President Kretschmann from @RegierungBW to discuss the handover of the European co-chair of the #Under2Coalition from Baden-Württemberg to Scotland as well as a number of other shared priorities. pic.twitter.com/8OqDPpmu6f

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FM @NicolaSturgeon has met the National Advisory Council on Women and Girls to discuss the latest @NACWGScot report into tackling gender inequality in Scotland. Check out the full report bit.ly/2020NACWGReport #GenerationEqual pic.twitter.com/adbqX3gNuw

The Scottish Government has lodged a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) with the Scottish Parliament, recommending that consent cannot be given to the UK Government’s “inadequate and damaging” Brexit deal with the EU. More information: gov.scot/news/brexit-de… pic.twitter.com/aF6hfFmDqX

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