Category: 2018

The XI International Scientific Conference “ENERGETIKA XXI: Economy, Policy, Ecology” “The Need for Energy Dialogue in a Fast Changing Environment” takes place in St. Petersburg, Russia, from 14th to 16th of November. 

ENERGETIKA is a conference regularly held in St. Petersburg in the month of November to address recent developments in the energy sector on a global basis with special focus on Russia. It is organized by UNECON (the St. Petersburg State University of Economics) with financial support by energy companies, combining an open academic atmosphere with the insights of representatives of important energy companies, like Gazprom and Gazprom Export, as well as from national and international public organizations.

On one side the world has seen a joint global approach to climate issues by the Paris Agreement (PA) with strong impact on the energy sector and on the relation between energy resource holding and energy importing countries. On the other hand unilateral approaches by the US by leaving the PA and stepping down from the Iran deal as well as fostering the position of US LNG by political means. While progress has been made in EU-Russia gas relations, much remains open, if not controversial. In such a fast and often abruptly changing environment it is paramount to foster dialogue between all parties to prevent misunderstandings and to identify mutual opportunities. ENERGETIKA offers itself as a place for an open dialogue on economy, policy and environment aspects of energy.

Jussi Huotari, Lauri Lähteenmäki, and Hilma Salonen from our team are participating in the conference. Jussi is presenting his paper “Yamal LNG and Global Production Networks” at the “Recent Developments of Energy Markets” panel on 15th of November.

More information on the conference can be found here.

Our doctoral students Karoliina Hurri and Sohvi Kangasluoma are spending this week in Norway, taking part in the “Asia on the Move” conference in Tromsø and a PhD workshop on-board Hurtigruten cruise ship sailing between Tromsø and Svolvær. The event is organised by the Nordic NIAS Council in collaboration with the Centre for Peace Studies, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway. The conference is held on 5th-7th of November and the workshop from 7th to 9th.

Asia – a region that contains nuclear states, the second and third largest economies in the world, the largest global population – is on the move!
The continent which has changed the most in the 21st century is Asia: be it Asia’s engagement with the Arctic region, presence in Africa, economic prominence, or geopolitical influence within and outside of the region, increased population movements in and outside Asia, increased risk of climate change, democratization and citizenship issues, nuclear proliferation and security threats to and from some of the Asian countries – all require in-depth analysis for good global governance.
For example, the rise of China in Central Asia has led to many speculations, including a ‘New Great Game’ with Russia and the United States. On the other hand, new moves from both parties on the Korean peninsula may see a ‘new hope’ for peace.  Sideways, in the context of climate change and ‘arctic race’, new geo-ecopolitical, and geostrategic dynamics led to the growing interest of non-Arctic states in the affairs of the Arctic. Engagement of countries like China, Japan, Korea and India in the Arctic will significantly influence the evolving dynamics in that region.
Meanwhile, forced migration (e.g. Rohingya issues) and climate change induced displacement, corruption, violation of human rights and citizenship, crisis in Asian mega cities, and rising inequality have huge influence on ‘The Move’ and hence require much attention from policymakers and academics working on Asia.

At the PhD workshop, Sohvi presents a paper for NIAS PhD course – Theoretical background and operationalization of human security from a feminist perspective titled  “A feminist approach: Impacts of oil and gas sector to human security in Arctic communities”, and Karoliina presents a paper for NIAS PhD course Research Design and Key Concepts “China’s Leadership Role in Climate Negotiations: A case of BASIC countries, BRICS group and the Arctic Council”.

Check conference website for more information on the event.

Today Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen was invited again to the Grand Committee (Finnish Parliament’s EU Committee) to give an expert opinion on EU energy politics during the discussion of the Directive 2009/73/EC of the European Parliament. Professor Tynkkynen was one of the experts invited to the Parliament, together with Arto Rajala from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Olga Väisänen from Gasum Oy, Communications Manager EU and Nordic Policies of Nord Stream 2 Tapio Pekkola and Nord Stream 2 advicer Paavo Lipponen.

More information can be found on the Parliament’s website.

Another alumni meeting took place yesterday. Professor Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen gave a talk on “Venäjä – energiasuurvalta? Energia. Valta. Kulttuuri” (Russia – an energy superpower? Energy. Power. Culture) at the MPK (Maanpuolustuskurssi) alumni meeting. The presentation was followed by a discussion with other alumni of the National Defense Training Association of Finland.

Yesterday Professor Tynkkynen participated in the Päättäjäalumnien ja yliopiston ystävien tapaaminen (Helsinki University alumni and University’s friends meeting), organised by the Rector Jari Niemelä at the University of Helsinki. Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen gave a presentation titled “Hydrocarbon culture in Russia”. The meeting was organised at Porthania and had distinguished guests taking part in it.