Fairbanks to host International Arctic Assembly Day

February 3, 2016

Photo by Patrick Kelley, U.S. Coast Guard. The Canadian Coast Guard ship Louis S. St-Laurent and the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Healy meet in the Arctic Ocean on Sept. 5, 2009. The two ships were helping with a multiyear survey of the Arctic continental shelf.

Scientists, indigenous people, government officials and other experts will gather for a series of public events at the University of Alaska Fairbanks during the first International Arctic Assembly Day on March 15.

Everyone with an interest in the Arctic is invited to attend.

“It will be a wonderful opportunity to hear the visionary perspectives of those who are helping to guide our nations in addressing the challenges of a rapidly changing Arctic,” said Larry Hinzman, UAF vice chancellor for research and International Arctic Assembly Day coordinator.

The one-day event will harness the expertise of high-level officials attending several international science and policy meetings in Fairbanks that week, including the Arctic Science Summit Week, Arctic Observing Summit and the Arctic Council’s Senior Arctic Officials meeting. Distinguished speakers include Ambassador David Balton, the deputy assistant secretary of state for oceans and fisheries; Inuuteq Holm Olsen, minister plenipotentiary for Greenland at the Danish Embassy in Washington, D.C.; and Mark Brzezinski, executive director of the federal Arctic Executive Steering Committee and U.S. ambassador to Sweden from 2011 to 2015.

“International Arctic Assembly Day provides a great opportunity for those working within and alongside the Arctic Council to exchange ideas with a broad spectrum of people and organizations studying the Arctic and seeking solutions to the most important issues facing the region today,” said Julie Gourley, senior Arctic official with the Department of State. “Holding the International Arctic Assembly alongside the Senior Arctic Officials meeting provides a unique opportunity to enhance understanding of and support for the Arctic and its peoples.”

Presenters, panels and discussions will examine how the people of the Arctic, researchers and policymakers can best work together to respond to a rapidly changing Arctic.

The meeting comes at a time when increased tourism, shipping, resource extraction and other commercial and military activities in the Arctic are creating opportunities and challenges for state, national and international governing bodies. Information to make policy decisions is in frequent demand, but the connection between research and policy often includes significant obstacles.

Broad participation is encouraged for the International Arctic Assembly Day, and a one-day registration option is available for anyone who would like to attend. Registration includes the conference program, lunch, breaks and an unprecedented opportunity to network with international Arctic leaders in science and policy. The International Arctic Assembly Day will also be live-streamed from the Arctic Science Summit Week website. Discussion and questions will be encouraged from in-person and online participants.

The day will conclude with a banquet to celebrate the Arctic and international cooperation through cultural performances, remarks from Arctic leaders and a meal featuring many Alaska foods.

Registration and banquet tickets are available through March 1, at https://assw2016.org/register.

The International Arctic Assembly Day agenda is available online at https://assw2016.org/about/assembly.

The State Department announced last week that Fairbanks also will host the 2017 Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting.

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Larry Hinzman, vice chancellor for research, 907-474-6000, ldhinzman@alaska.edu