Overview
The warming up of the Arctic generates unprecedented potential for the extraction of its huge natural resources. While some of these resources make the Arctic a perfect incubator for clean energy, increased economic activity represents a huge challenge for sustainability. From a strategic perspective, the increased Arctic economic and commercial potential is attracting global attention, and is having clear geo-economic and geopolitical consequences.
In the talk, Marie Anne discusses the emergence of arctic resources and their impact on geopolitics, the green transition and sustainability.
This event is a collaboration between the Wolfson Law Society, Wolfson Humanities Society and Interdisciplinary Research Hub in Sustainability & Conservation.
Speaker
After her postgraduate Law studies at Wolfson in 1978, Marie-Anne Coninsx embarked on a distinguished career as an EU official and diplomat, which culminated in serving as the first EU Ambassador at Large for the Arctic. There, she championed the importance of igniting climate action through principles of international cooperation and inclusiveness.
Marie-Anne credits her time at Wolfson as an important step in her career as an EU official, which began in the European Commission at the Legal Service in 1984. After 12 years working on the staff of EU Commissioners, Marie-Anne developed her EU Diplomatic career, as Minister Counsellor at the EU Delegation to the UN in NY and Geneva. This provided her with extensive multilateral experience, and she subsequently served as EU Ambassador to Mexico (2009-2013), to Canada (2013-2017), and finally to the Arctic (2017-2019). Marie Anne was made an Honorary Fellow of Wolfson College in 2023; read all about that here.
Marie Anne is currently a Senior Associate Fellow at the Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations.
You can follow Marie Anne on Twitter @MarieAnnConinsx.
Details
Doors will open at 17:30 with light refreshments. The talk will begin at 18:00.
This event is open to all and will consist of a keynote presentation from Marie Anne, followed by an audience Q&A moderated by Dr Jamie Trinidad KC.
Please register on eventbrite.
Access
This event will take place in the Lee Hall which has step-free access and an accessible toilet.
For more details please view our AccessAble guide.