The Arctic Circle Assembly will commence on October 17 at Harpa Conference Center in Reykjavík, Iceland, and continue until the evening of October 19. Over 2,500 participants have already confirmed their attendance. The event will feature more than 700 speakers delivering talks across 250 seminars.
The Arctic Circle is the world's largest gathering focused on the Arctic and the North. A number of international leaders will be in attendance, including U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, China's Special Climate Representative Liu Zhenmin, various ministers from multiple countries, and leaders of prominent international organizations and globally renowned scientific institutions. Among the notable participants are the Director General of UNESCO and administrators of Arctic organizations from Europe and Asia.
One of the key features of this 11th Arctic Circle Assembly is the Polar Dialogue, a three-day series of sessions, workshops, and plenary meetings. The Dialogue builds on the Paris Polar Summit, initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron in November 2023, along with consultative meetings held in Paris, Reykjavík, Monaco, and Berlin. It will focus on scientific and research cooperation across the Arctic, Antarctic, and the Third Pole region (Himalayas), as well as other ice-covered areas around the world. High-level political leaders have confirmed their participation to foster constructive dialogue with the scientific community.
Additionally, the Arctic Circle Business Forum will be held, where business leaders from the Arctic, the North, and beyond will discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the region.
The Assembly will conclude on the evening of October 19 with a special performance by world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma, accompanied by Icelandic artists, performing works by Icelandic composer Viktor Orri Árnason in Harpa's Eldborg Hall.
Several critical issues will be addressed during the Assembly. Representatives of the U.S. government will introduce a new Arctic defense policy, the European Union's Energy Commissioner will discuss Europe's energy security, and the Chair of NATO's Military Committee will present on NATO's evolving role in the Arctic. The Polar Dialogue, moderated by former Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir and Antje Boetius, director of the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany, will further shape the discussion.
For the first time, the Arctic Circle Business Forum will feature a special roundtable discussion on business opportunities in the Arctic, with leaders and entrepreneurs from various industries gathering to explore new prospects.
The Frederik Paulsen Award, aimed at supporting scientific research on mitigating the effects of climate change, will be presented for the fourth time, with the recipient receiving a grant of 100,000 euros.
In addition, the Arctic Circle Award will also be presented for the fourth time, recognizing significant contributions to the Arctic. Previous recipients include Ban Ki-moon, John Kerry, and the Alfred Wegener Institute, along with the MOSAiC mission.
The opening session of the Arctic Circle will take place at 13:15 in Harpa's Silfurberg Hall. The full agenda of the Arctic Circle can be found here.
Source: Arctic Circle
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