"Sustainability requires a profound cultural shift"
April 10, 2026
Photographs: EFÍ.
The presidential couple visits Akureyri.
The President delivers the opening address at the Sixth Sustainability Conference in the lecture hall of the University of Akureyri.
The President and her husband visited the City of Akureyri on the occasion of the Sixth Sustainability Conference, hosted by the University of Akureyri.
In her opening address, the President framed sustainability as both a scientific and profoundly human challenge. While emphasizing the importance of data, innovation, and technology, she argued that environmental crises are ultimately rooted in human attitudes and behaviour, “true sustainability requires a profound cultural shift grounded in values and purpose”, she said. In an era marked by climate disruption, geopolitical tensions, and uncertainty, she urged the audience to have courage to challenge outdated systems and commit to long-term good even when outcomes are unclear.
Drawing on Iceland’s history, the President highlighted the country’s successful transition to renewable energy as a deliberate choice rooted in vision and cooperation. “This transformation was not inevitable… It was a choice.” She stressed that sustainable energy, in particular geothermal energy, remains underused globally and urged continued experimentation and collaboration for sustainability, affirming, “I remain a stubborn optimist.”
The President also connected sustainability to economic purpose and social wellbeing, challenging simple growth-focused economic models asking, “Is the purpose of our economies endless growth at any cost, or is it to ensure that people, communities, and nature can thrive for generations?” A truly sustainable society, she concluded, must be low-carbon and high-trust—one where people feel safe, connected, and empowered.
Ending with a call to action, the President reminded the audience that change happens daily through conscious choices. “The future has never belonged to those who waited for certainty. It belongs to those who embrace courage and act.”
The President also took part in a fireside chat with Aðalbjörn Jóhannsson, President of the University of Akureyri Student Union, and Lísa Margrét Gunnarsdóttir, President of the Icelandic University Students’ Association, discussing the impact of artificial intelligence on university education and the future job market. She highlighted that today’s students should be prepared to update their education and skills much more frequently than previous generations and that the vital skills for the future are resilience, flexibility, and communication.
At Birta Community Center, the presidential couple were welcomed by Birna Guðrún Baldursdóttir, an met with staff and guests who challenged them to a game of darts.
At Akureyri Junior College, the President was presented with the Golden Owl by Headmaster Karl Frímannsson. This is the school’s highest honour and was first awarded to President Kristján Eldjárn in 1980. During a fireside chat with natural science student Elvar Björn Ólafsson, the President spoke about the negative effects of social media on well-being and encouraged young people to set clear boundaries in their use of smart devices. She and Elvar also discussed the importance of kindness and the enduring value of face-to-face communication.
The visit to Akureyri concluded with the presidential couple attending the Akureyri Theatre Company’s new production of Candide by Voltaire, adapted and directed by Bergur Þór Ingólfsson.
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