NEWS

Conserving the unique animal and plant world of the polar regions has been of high priority since decades. The Fact Sheet Environmental Protection of the Polar Regions provides an assessment of the existing measures in the Arctic and Antarctic and an overview of global agreements and conventions that are relevant for the polar regions.

Science Diplomacy generally describes the use of science and scientific knowledge to advance diplomatic interests. The Antarctic Treaty is a very often used as a prime example for science diplomacy. Also in the Arctic, scientific knowledge is used as the basis for decisions of the Arctic Council. This analysis looks into the importance of science diplomacy in the polar regions in light of growing global challenges.

June 5, 2023, DGAP Berlin
Together with the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), the Arctic Office organized the event "The Disruption of Arctic Exceptionalism: Managing Environmental Change in Light of Russian Aggression" on June 5 in Berlin.

22 - 25 May, 2023 Baveno, Italy

The Arctic Office is a partner in the EU project Arctic PASSION. On May 22-25 in Baveno/Italy, the second annual project meeting took place. Here, project partners had the opportunity to get to know each other personally, to exchange information about current progress and further procedures, and to create new crosscutting links.

11 May 2023, BMBF Office Berlin

The 21^st Arctic Dialogue was held on 11 May 2023 in the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The overarching theme of the meeting was international cooperation in Arctic research. For the first time, the Berlin embassies of the Arctic States were represented in the Arctic Dialogue.

March 2023

With the Arctic Circle Tokyo Forum (4-6 March 2023) and the Seventh International Symposium on Arctic Research (ISAR-7) (6-10 March 2023) two international Arctic conference took place in Japan. The German Arctic Office contributed to both meetings.

2 February 2023, Tromsø, Clarion Hotel The Edge

In the framework of the conference “Arctic Frontiers” in Norway, the German Arctic Office and the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) arranged a session to foster the dialogue between young professionals (Emerging Leaders) and experienced mentors, especially focusing on the science-policy-interface. The event was part of the Arctic Frontiers “Emerging Leaders” Programme.

8 November 2022, Berlin Embassy of Canada to Germany

Canada and Germany have long been pioneers in Arctic research and are home to some of the world's most renowned experts in the field. In our co-organized event with the Canadian Embassy in Berlin, the Canadian-German perspective on global warming in Arctic science will be discussed.

15 October 2022, Reykjavik, Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre

In cooperation with the Icelandic Centre for Research (RANNÍS) and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), the German Arctic Office co-organized a session on funding international Arctic science at the Arctic Circle conference in Reykjavík/Iceland on the 15 October 2022.

The Arctic was already highly relevant geostrategically during the Cold War and has now become a region of international great power claims in a world that is increasingly polarized. Against this background, the Arctic Office compiled the present analysis of the security policy in the Arctic. The paper presents an outline of relevant topics and forums as well as an outlook, in particular regarding the impacts of the Russian war of aggression against the Ukraine.

Arctic Circle Journal, 8 July 2022

During the last three decades, the Arctic has developed into an exceptional venue for peace and cooperation. Due to the current geopolitical situation these achievements are at risk. This paper by Volker Rachold reviews the development of international scientific and political cooperation in the Arctic and highlights the numerous success stories.