Arctic Science Ministerial

 

         
             2nd Arctic Science Ministerial

                      25 - 26 October 2018
                          Berlin, Germany

Scientific collaboration is vital to observing, monitoring and understanding the rapid changes taking place in the Arctic. Warming in the Arctic is about double compared to the world average. Impacts have a global reach and represent a challenge of great concern and urgency. Communities and ecosystems around the Arctic are already experiencing the impacts of global change. Science will contribute to minimizing the risks, finding methods of resilience and adaptation, and form a vital basis for decision-making. Existing national and international observing and research efforts are impressive, but they are not able to meet the demand for comprehensive and integrated information in the Arctic.

Building on the first Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM1) that was held in Washington DC September 2016, the European Commission, the Republic of Finland and the Federal Republic of Germany organized the second Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM2) on 25-26 October 2018 in Berlin (Germany). 26 governments, 6 indigenous and 10 international organizations participated in the conference that span two days.

On the first day, the Arctic Science Forum presented and discussed scientific advances with regards to the deliverables agreed within ASM1, as well as necessary future commitments. 250 scientists, policy-makers and representatives of indigenous and international organizations participated in the Forum which prepared the ground for the high-level segment that took place the second day. The forum was broadcasted in a Live-Webcast via the ASM2 website and the footage was used to compile a short film for the opening session of the Ministers´ Meeting the following day.

During the Ministerial Meeting on the second day, ministers and heads of delegations from 26 nations and regions signed a Joint Statement, aiming at improved and better-coordinated international scientific cooperation to advance the understanding of the impacts of Arctic changes and the ability to respond to these changes. Three overarching themes were identified:

  • Strengthening, integrating and sustaining Arctic observations, facilitating access to Arctic data, and sharing Arctic research infrastructure;
  • Understanding regional and global dynamics of Arctic change;
  • Assessing vulnerability and building resilience of Arctic environments and societies

The report of the conference „Co-operation in Arctic Science – Challenges and Joint Actions“, edited by the German Arctic Office on behalf of the BMBF, includes the Joint Statement of Ministers, a synopsis of the scientific background documents („Science Summary“) as well as overview presentations of the research activities of all participating countries and organizations.

At the end of the conference the torch was passed to Iceland and Japan, the co-hosts of the third Arctic Science Ministerial which will be held in 2020.