The theme of the trip is sustainable change and development, with visits to Skellefteå, Luleå and Boden planned over three days in the middle of next week.

The focus will be on technology development, skills provision and research. The delegation, led by King Carl XVI Gustaf, IVA President Marcus Wallenberg and Tuula Teeri, CEO of IVA, consists of about 30 representatives from various sectors, including companies, government agencies and universities.

At the king's initiative, these technology trips have been organized since 2001. The purpose of the trips is to provide new knowledge and create contacts that can ultimately lead to an increased exchange of ideas and strengthened competitiveness, according to the IVA press release.

Two visits are planned in Skellefteå. The first is on Tuesday and will focus on "Future Sustainable Aviation Infrastructure", with presentations and demos on the work of Skellefteå Airport, and a meeting with the Green Flight Academy, a flight training school.

The second visit on the same day will be to the Skellefteå Universities Alliance, a collaboration between various educational institutions to address the significant education and skills needs in the region.

Later in the week, there will be a visit to H2 Green Steel's 270-hectare factory site in Svartbyn, Boden, with a tour of the construction of facilities for green hydrogen, green iron, and green steel.