WWF engaging on critical Arctic policy issues at the Arctic Circle Assembly

The 2024 Arctic Circle Assembly will be held in Reykjavík, Iceland from 17-19 October. It is a yearly global event where stakeholders from governments, businesses, academia, and civil society gather to discuss and collaborate on Arctic-related issues, including climate change, economic development, and regional security.

The WWF Global Arctic Programme leaders will participate in key Arctic Circle Assembly events, focusing on sustainable Arctic shipping, youth engagement in policy, and civil society’s role in protecting the cryosphere. Key discussions will address issues like black carbon, youth cooperation, and integrating Indigenous knowledge into global policy frameworks.

A cleaner future for Arctic shipping

16 October 17:00 – 19:00 (GMT)

The Clean Arctic Alliance and the Iceland Nature Conservation Association are hosting a dynamic side event at Veröld – House of Vigdís, University of Iceland. The event will feature a lively discussion on critical topics such as shipping along the Northern Sea Route, the impact of black carbon, the development of Arctic green corridors, and the threats posed by heavy fuel oil. Vicki Lee Wallgren, Director, WWF Global Arctic Programme, will be one of the featured speakers at the event.

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The following sessions will take place in the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center:

Getting in front of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Arctic

17 October 9:00 – 9:55 (GMT)

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a rising global concern, particularly in the Arctic, where climate change may shift fish stocks and attract commercial fishing fleets. This panel which includes Steve MacLean, Director, WWF U.S. Arctic Program, discusses the potential for increased IUU activity in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters, identifying likely drivers, hotspot locations, and key actors needed for cooperation. It also examines the role of precautionary fisheries management and highlights economic, technological, and policy interventions to help Arctic states, communities, and organizations address IUU threats.

Formats of Arctic youth cooperation: Past, present and future

17 October 18:15 – 19:10 (GMT)

Over the years, Arctic youth have played an active role in shaping and participating in a wide range of initiatives aimed at fostering engagement and development. This session seeks to highlight youth empowerment in the Arctic, exploring the journey from past initiatives to present-day efforts, while looking ahead to future opportunities. Ronja Wedegärtner, Project leader, WWF Global Arctic Programme will discuss the importance of youth engagement in policy development. While initiatives like the EU-Arctic Youth Dialogue, led by the WWF Global Arctic Programme, offer a good starting point, formalized youth advisory bodies are needed for greater influence.

How can civil society influence decision-making and protect the cryosphere?

18 October 16:00 – 16:55 (GMT)  

This session, with Vicki Lee Wallgren, Director, WWF Global Arctic Programme in the panel,  brings together experts working in the Arctic, Antarctic, and high-altitude regions to explore the political, social, and environmental challenges facing these fragile ecosystems. The discussion will focus on improving collaboration between scientific research, Indigenous knowledge, and conservation efforts to protect the cryosphere. Panelists will address how global strategies, Indigenous inclusion, and scientific findings can be effectively integrated into international policy, with particular attention to upcoming COP29 and COP16. The session will also examine barriers to stronger regulatory frameworks and strategies for ensuring accountability in global commitments to cryosphere protection.