How the EU is helping to protect the Arctic, and why supporting Coventry can help inspire resilience, Michael Mann, EU Arctic Envoy

The Irish Tech News Podcast

Interesting conversation with Michael Mann who has been Special Envoy for Arctic matters since April 1, 2020.

Prior to that, he spent two and a half years as the EU’s Ambassador to Iceland.

Between 2011 and 2017, he was head of Strategic Communications at the European External Action Service, doubling up as Chief Spokesperson to High Representative/Vice President Catherine Ashton from 2011 to 2014.

Mr Mann worked as a European Commission Spokesperson between 2002 and 2011, covering a wide range of portfolios.

He began his career in Brussels as a journalist, working for the Financial Times, Reuters and Bloomberg News, among other media.

Michael Mann has been very active in public outreach via webinars and press interviews during the lockdown. A recent, major interview with him can be found here:

https://geopolitique.eu/en/2021/01/18/exclusive-interview-with-michael-mann-eus-ambassador-at-large-for-the-arctic-special-envoy-for-arctic-matters/

Regarding the EU Arctic policy as per March 2021:

The EU Arctic Policy is primarily expressed in the Joint Communication on An Integrated European Union for the Arctic (published in April 2016 by the High Representative and the Commission): https://eeas.europa.eu/archives/docs/arctic_region/docs/160427_joint-communication-an-integrated-european-union-policy-for-the-arctic_en.pdf

A summary of the recent public consultation on the EU Arctic Policy can be found here: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/497bfd35-5f8a-11eb-b487-01aa75ed71a1

HRVP Borrell addressed the Arctic Frontiers conference on 2 February 2021. Important messages for general understanding of our current thinking.

https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/92475/arctic-speech-high-representativevice-president-josep-borrell-arctic-frontiers-conference_en