The annual Kastelholm Talks 2026 are approaching. On 19 March, we will explore the theme “The Sea – as an arena for cooperation and conflict” at Kastelholm Castle and the Mariehamn City Library. This year’s speakers are Marie Jacobsson, Kuupik Kleist, and Henrik Ringbom.
Dr. Marie Jacobsson, former Ambassador and Principal Legal Adviser on International Law at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, is one of Sweden’s most experienced experts in international peace and security. She has an extensive background in both multilateral and bilateral negotiations, with a particular focus on the UN Charter, international humanitarian law, the law of the sea and maritime security, boundary delimitation, and regional security. She is an Associate Professor of International Law at Lund University and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the World Maritime University in 2025. Jacobsson also serves on the board of the Åland Islands Peace Institute.
Kuupik Kleist is a Greenlandic politician who served as Prime Minister of Greenland from 2009 to 2013 and was a member of parliament for more than 20 years, both in Denmark and Greenland. He has long been involved in the Inuit Circumpolar Council, serving both on the Executive Council and as a consultant. Kleist has also been a board member of Oceans North Greenland.
Henrik Ringbom is Professor of Maritime Law at Åbo Akademi University and part-time Professor at the Nordic Institute of Maritime Law at the University of Oslo. He has an extensive publication record in European and international maritime and environmental law, as well as on issues related to protecting the Baltic Sea from various environmental and security threats, including the shadow fleet and hybrid attacks on underwater infrastructure. His ongoing research projects include marine protected areas in the Baltic Sea, threats to critical marine infrastructure, risk-based maritime security, and the offshore green energy transition. He is also active internationally through the Comité Maritime International and, via that, within the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Programme
10:00–11:30 – The Kastelholm Talks Free and open to all. Registration required. Register here: https://forms.gle/QmC4z2CPHBe9rFRV6 A free bus will run between Kastelholm and Mariehamn (bus registration is included in the form).
11:30–12:30 – Q&A Session An open continuation of the discussion with the opportunity to ask questions to the panel.
17:00–18:30 – After-talk at the Library In collaboration with the Mariehamn Literature Days. Free and open to all, no registration required.