The Arctic Circle Assembly was held in the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, Reykjavík, Iceland, on October 17 - 19.

The Arctic Circle Business Forum, which took place at the Reykjavik EDITION, and the Polar Dialogue, which took place in the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs, were both launched for the first time during the 2024 Arctic Circle Assembly.

The Arctic Circle Business Forum was held at the 2024 Arctic Circle Assembly October 17 - 19

Launched at the 2024 Arctic Circle Assembly, October 17-19

By Marie Anne Coninsx, Senior Associate Fellow, Egmont Institute - Royal Institute for International Relations (Belgium) and First EU Ambassador at Large for the Arctic

Science, research and innovation play a key role in increasing our knowledge of the Arctic, in understanding the changes of the region and hence in contributing to providing policy responses to the huge challenges it is facing. It is an illustration of the importance of science diplomacy. Science diplomacy has different dimensions. This article will address how science contributes to evidence-based policymaking in turbulent times.

While science and technology play an increasingly important role in the geopolitical arena, it has been claimed that science diplomacy in the Arctic has been severely impacted by geopolitics. Though some negative effects are clearly observable, it is worthwhile to assess the real dimension of the impact of reduced scientific cooperation with Russia. Indeed, a closer look at recent developments demonstrates that current geopolitics did create new opportunities for science diplomacy in and for the Arctic, which cannot be neglected.

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco: Keynote speech
at the Arctic Circle Berlin Forum 2024

The Arctic at Crossroads
Science - Climate - Policy - Europe

Listen to the latest Arctic Circle Podcast on the Mission of the Global Climate Conference COP28.