Seminar “The first Spanish Polar Strategy: key aspects of a multidisciplinary approach to the Arctic”

23 Jun 2026 10:30-13:15
Large blue-toned iceberg alongside an expedition vessel navigating Arctic waters off Greenland, with a snow-covered coastal landscape in the background.
Challenges and opportunities in the neighbourhood
Organization Ministry of Foreing Affairs, European Union and Cooperation; Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities; Elcano Royal Institute.
Posted on 17 Jun 2026 //

Venue: Círculo de Bellas Artes

Tuesday, 23rd June 2026, from 10:30 to 13:15 h. CEST (UTC+2). Venue: Círculo de Bellas Artes, Sala Valle-Inclán (calle Marqués de Casa Riera, 2 – 5th floor, Madrid).

The first Spanish Polar Strategy will help to highlight Spain’s role and its commitment to the protection of the polar regions, building on its scientific track record, its participation in the bodies of the Antarctic system, and its role as an observer state in the Arctic Council.

The seminar will take a multidisciplinary approach to the key aspects of the new Spanish Polar Strategy, focusing on the various dimensions of the Arctic region (scientific, climatic, economic, military, geopolitical, etc.)

Hashtag: #EstrategiaPolar

Programme

10:30    Opening

11:00   Panel I – Key aspects of the Spanish Polar Strategy: a committed partner in the Arctic Council

Moderator: Ignacio Molina, Senior Fellow, Elcano Royal Institute | @_ignaciomolina

  • Christopher Berzins, Political Counsellor, Embassy of Canada to Spain.
  • Carlos López Ortiz, Deputy Director for Multilateral Economic Affairs at the Directorate-General for Economic Diplomacy, responsible for Polar Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation
  • Antonio Quesada del Corral, Technical Secretary of the Spanish Polar Committee, Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

12: 00   Panel II – The new Arctic geopolitics

Moderator: Félix Arteaga, Senior Fellow, Elcano Royal Institute

  • Alberto Ucelay, Director General of Foreign and Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation |
  • Mira Milosevich, Senior Fellow, Elcano Royal Institute | @MiraMilosevich1
  • Manuel Montobbio, Ambassador of Spain to Finland | @ManuelMontobbio

13:00   Closing remarks

  • Jordi Colgan Perera, Director-General for Economic Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation

Organized by:

MAEUEC.Gob.Web
MCIU.Gob.Web
2026 logo elcano25 event

– The event will be held in Spanish without simultaneous translation.
– If you would like to attend, please send RSVP to confirmaciones@rielcano.org.

Image: Glacial landscape in Greenland. Photo: Hubert Neufeld (htn_films).

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