SIOS – an Important Element in Norwegian Polar Research Policy Pål Sørgaard, Deputy Director General Ministry of Education and Research Department of Research

2 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research The High North is a Strategic Priority to the Norwegian Government Research and education form an essential part of the Government’s High North Strategy Priorities concerning research include: –International cooperation –Research infrastructure, including SIOS –Thematic focus on climate, polar, marine and environmental research

3 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research Svalbard is special Legally –The Svalbard Treaty recognizes Norwegian sovereignty over Svalbard –Signatory countries shall be treated equally in certain areas enumerated in the Treaty –But: The Svalbard Treaty does not regulate research Geographically and ecologically –Easily accessible –Natural laboratory

4 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research Research in Svalbard Research and higher education as one of three pillars for Norwegian activity Further develop Svalbard as an international platform for research, by –making optimal use of its facilities, –by strengthening the cooperation between the researchers, and –by upgrading its infrastructure SIOS will be an important element in this Strong emphasis is being put on protecting the environment

5 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research Future goals for Norwegian Research Policy Better health and health services Public services and research based professional practice Knowledge based industry in all regions A successful research sector High quality research Efficient use of results and funding Internationalisation of research Global challenges Industrial research in strategic areas

6 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research SIOS and Norwegian Research Policy SIOS is an important element in several priority areas for Norwegian research: –Research to meet global challenges –Thematic priority areas, including climate, polar, environmental and marine research –Research infrastructure –Internationalization

7 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research SIOS is important to the Ministry The Ministry –submitted the project proposal in 2007 –follows the work of the Research Council and the SIOS consortium closely –coordinates processes concerning legal issues: ERIC Work package on special legal issues relating to Svalbard