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Events
WWF advancing conservation at Arctic Circle Assembly
- Biodiversity and nature
The 2023 Arctic Circle Assembly will be held in Reykjavík, Iceland from Thursday, October 19 to Saturday, October 21. It is a yearly global event that addresses Arctic-related concerns, providing a platform for dialogue, cooperation, and policy development on topics like environmental protection, climate change, sustainable development, Indigenous rights, and Arctic economic opportunities.
The WWF Global Arctic Programme will be present, participating in various discussions touching on important issues facing the Arctic: the future of the Arctic Council, new conservation tools, networks for marine protection of the Arctic Ocean, the new Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement and the threats of increased Arctic shipping. The WWF sessions are outlined below.
19 October 11:20 – 12:15, “The Norwegian chairship of the Arctic Council: Challenges and opportunities”
Vicki Lee Wallgren, Director, WWF Global Arctic Programme will reflect on the current situation of the Arctic Council along with other panellists in this session, organized by The Fridtjof Nansen Institute.
In today’s geopolitically strained environment, the role of Indigenous representatives in the Arctic Council is diminishing. Despite their presence at the table, their influence and ability to be heard in discussions about the Arctic’s future have now weakened. The Arctic Council, with its research and information-sharing, has been instrumental in raising awareness of climate and environmental challenges in the region over the past three decades. However, if the Council were to falter, the carefully constructed networks of knowledge exchange could be lost. During this session, attendees can engage with experts to discuss the challenges facing the Arctic Council in these troubled times.
19 October 18:15 – 19:10 “Icenet: AI sea ice forecasts for people and wildlife across the Arctic”
Melanie Lancaster, Senior Specialist, Arctic Species for WWF Global Arctic Programme, will talk about how sea ice forecasts can inform the conservation of Arctic species and ecosystems. Using deep learning AI, IceNet predicts sea ice conditions in the Arctic from days to months in advance. These forecasts are being integrated into real-world tools for wildlife protection, community empowerment, and marine navigation. This session will cover the technology behind the forecasts, showcase their applications, and engage the audience in discussing future uses for AI forecasting.
19 October 18:15 – 19:10, “Arctic stewards: Indigenous leadership in integrated biodiversity conservation”
In this session hosted by The Polar Initiative: Foundation Prince Albert II of Monaco & IASC, features Martin Sommerkorn, Head of Conservation for WWF’s Global Arctic Programme, who will delve into the pressing need, urgency, and viable strategies for implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework in the Arctic. A focal point will be the establishment of a pan-Arctic network of protected areas. The session as a whole will emphasize the essential role of Indigenous communities in Arctic biodiversity preservation, explore climate and biodiversity status, indigenous knowledge, community-led conservation, and conservation tools in line with the Global Biodiversity Framework. Additionally, it will address the challenges and opportunities arising from economic activities in the Arctic.
20 October 11:20 – 12:15, “Establishing ArcNet: Opportunities for implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework”
This session, organised by WWF Global Arctic Programme features Martin Sommerkorn, Head of Conservation, and Erin Keenan, Senior Manager Arctic Marine Conservation, both working within the WWF Global Arctic Programme as well as other Arctic experts.
Nations, committed through international agreements like the UN’s Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the High Seas Treaty, are striving to create extensive networks of marine protected areas, including in the Arctic. These areas are vital for Indigenous communities, cultural identities, ecosystem-based adaptation, and sustainable blue economies. ArcNet, an Arctic Ocean network of Priority Areas for Conservation is an innovative approach to designing and collaboratively establishing an ocean-scale network of protected and conserved areas. This innovative approach proposes 83 priority areas, covering over 30 per cent of the Arctic Ocean, to establish marine conservation measures. This session will discuss ArcNet’s vision, the role of Indigenous-led initiatives, economic benefits for Arctic communities, and regional collaboration opportunities under the Global Biodiversity Framework via the Arctic Council’s work.
20 October 17:20 – 19:15, “Historic protection of our oceans: The Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement”
This plenary session features, Vicki Lee Wallgren, Director, WWF Global Arctic Programme.
This monumental agreement between Arctic and non-Arctic countries to prevent unregulated commercial fishing in the high seas of the Central Arctic Ocean has been in force since June 2021. It combines a precautionary principle with an ecosystem-based approach, banning commercial fishing for at least 14 years which gives us time to deepen our understanding of the emerging species and their relationships in the quickly changing climate.
WWF, in an observer role, supports the agreement’s progress and offers its ArcNet approach and concrete tool to assist in designating protected areas in the Arctic Ocean. The protection offered by CAOFA’s rules for exploratory fishing can contribute to the 30 per cent protection target of the Global Biodiversity Framework. CAOFA is essential and inspiring for biodiversity protection.
21 October 11:20 – 12:15, “Arctic Shipping 2030”
This session organized by the Clean Arctic Alliance will feature Melanie Lancaster, Senior Specialist, Arctic Species for WWF Global Arctic Programme, who will address the detrimental effects of underwater noise from Arctic shipping on marine mammals. This panel unites Arctic shipping stakeholders to explore the significant growth in Arctic shipping, the need for international regulation, and the crucial decarbonization target by 2030. Issues include marine litter, scrubber discharges, and underwater noise. Speakers will present their 2030 visions for Arctic shipping, fostering audience engagement.
For further information:
Andrea Norgren | Sr. Manager Communications, WWF Global Arctic Programme | andrea.norgren@wwf.se
By WWF Global Arctic Programme
