Norway and Iceland Business Seminars: Shaping the Future of the Green Economy and Pioneering Innovation in the Blue Economy

Please find images from the seminar.

Business Iceland and Innovation Norway invite Norwegian and Icelandic businesses to join us for business events in connection with the official visit of Iceland's President, Halla Tómasdóttir, to Norway. Special guests include H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Iceland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, and State Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, Vegard Grøslie Wennesland, Norway’s Minister of Defence, Tore O. Sandvik, and Minister of Finance, Dadi Mar Kristofersson.

 

The Norway and Iceland Seminars will take place over two days, focusing on advancing sustainable economies and fostering collaboration between the two nations.

Oslo (9th April): The seminar will focus on advancing a sustainable green economy through cross-border cooperation, accelerating green innovations, and fostering strategic partnerships. Following the seminar, participants are invited to presentations and networking on board MS Brisen, offering opportunities to connect with the Icelandic business delegation.

Trondheim (10th April): The Blue Economy seminar will bring together stakeholders from Iceland and Norway to explore sustainable ocean resource utilization and maritime innovation.

Registration is now closed. Please be advised that all seminars are fully booked, and only individuals whose names appear on this list will be granted access. Business Norway Delegations

Seminar Objectives:

  • Strengthen Collaboration: Foster cooperation between Iceland and Norway on shared climate goals and green/blue economy opportunities.

  • Accelerate Innovation: Develop pathways for competitive green solutions through joint initiatives and investments.

  • Foster Partnerships: Align public and private sectors in driving the green transition and scaling solutions.

  • Enhance Competitiveness: Strengthen global positioning in sustainable innovation and technology leadership.

Target Audience:

  • Senior government ministers and officials from Iceland and Norway.
  • Representatives from private sector companies in fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, maritime technology, renewable energy, clean tech and investments.
  • Academics, researchers, and thought leaders in the green and blue economy.

Program Details:

 9th April 2025

 Innovation Norway, Grev Wedelsplass 9, Oslo

Cost: Free

Norway and Iceland Seminar: Shaping the Future of the Green Economy (Fully booked)

08.30-09.30 Registration | Coffee, Tea, and Networking (Please bring ID; registration closes at 09:30)

10.00-10.05 Welcome Remarks by Pétur Óskarsson, CEO of Business Iceland and Tina Stiegler, Director of Community and Business Development, Innovation Norway

10.05-10.10 Special Address by H.E. Halla Tómasdóttir, President of Iceland 

10.10-10.40 Panel Discussion: Green Transition as a Foundation for Peace

  • Moderated by Thina Margrethe Saltvedt, Lead ESG Expert, Nordea Global Sustainability. 

Panellists:

  • Minister of Foreign Affairs, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir
  • State Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, Vegard Grøslie Wennesland
  • Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal, CEO of Statkraft
  • Hörður Arnarson, CEO of Landsvirkjun

10.45-11.00 Coffee Break

11.00-11.30 Panel Discussion: Advancing Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage through Nordic Synergy

Moderated by Nótt Thorberg, Director of Green by Iceland

Panellists:

  • Sara Lind Guðbergsdóttir, Country director Iceland, Climeworks
  • Edda Pind Aradóttir, CEO of CarbfixEdda Pind Aradóttir,
  • Sidsel Lindsø, CEO i Explocrowd
  • Sigrid Borthen Toven, VP, Low Carbon Solution Equinor

11.30-11.35 Closing Remarks

14.00-16.00 Brisen Networking Event at MS Brisen, Rådhusbrygge 2, Oslo | Cost: Free (Fully booked)

Remarks by Norwegian-Icelandic Chamber of Commerce, Brim Explorer, Arntzen de Besche. The ship will remain docked during the event.

 10th April 2025

 Ocean Basin / Havbassenget: J.H.L. Vogts vei 1, 7052 Trondheim. Follow Ocean Basin signs and students in yellow vests. 

Cost: Free

Norway and Iceland Seminar: Pioneers of Innovation in the Blue Economy (Fully booked)

08.30-09.30 Registration | Coffee, Tea, and Networking (Please bring ID; registration closes at 09:30)

10.03-10.07 Welcome remarks by Tor Grande, Rector of NTNU, and Vegar Johansen, CEO of SINTEF Ocean

10.7-10.12 Special Address by H.E. Halla Tómasdóttir, President of Iceland

10.12-10.17 Address by Iceland’s Minister of Finance, Dadi Mar Kristofersson 

10.17-10.22 Address by Pétur Óskarsson, CEO of Business Iceland and Tina Stiegler, Director of Community and Business Development, Innovation Norway

10.22-10.30 Showcase: Sea Zero: Model of The Coastal Express’ (Hurtigruten) new zero emission ship concept in the Ocean Basin

10.30-10.45 Coffee break

10.45-11.15 Panel Discussion: 100% Fish – Unlocking Full Marine Resource Utilization 

Moderator: Þór Sigfusson, Founder of Iceland Ocean Cluster 

Panelists:

  • Árni Sigurðsson President of JBT Marel
  • Guðmundur Fertram CEO Kerecis 
  • Kristine Hartmann, CEO Salmon Living Lab
  • Ingunn Marie Holmen, Research Manager Fisheries Technologies SINTEF Ocean

11.15-11.45 Panel Discussion: Green Maritime Innovation & Energy Efficiency in the Blue Economy

Moderator: Sigridur Thormodsdottir, Head of circular economy programme, Standard Norway

  • Arnstein Eknes DNV´s Business Director - Special ships
  • Jens Þordarson CEO GeoSalmon 
  • Anna Hüllein, PhD in NTNU Department of Marine Technology 

11.45-12.00 Nordic Innovation Showcase: Blue Economy in Action 

  • OPTOSCALE, Sven Jørund Kolstø, CEO and Kristian Henriksen, CCO 
  • Seagrowth, Birgitta Ásgrímsdóttir CEO 

  • Greenfish, Sveinn Sigurður Jóhannesson CEO

12.00-12.03 Closing remarks 

12.03-12.45 Networking Lunch

 

organized by Business Iceland and Innovation Norway in collaboration with the Norwegian-Icelandic chamber of commerce, Fisheries Iceland, The Iceland Ocean Cluster, Green by Iceland, SINTEF and NTNU