DurhamARCTIC co-host online symposium celebrating 25 years of The Arctic Council

Since the Arctic Council’s formation in 1996, the Arctic has seen numerous changes – economic, environmental, and political – and the Arctic Council has evolved with a changing Arctic. Hailed by many as an innovative experiment in collective research, problem-solving, and policy-advising among Northern peoples and policy makers, some have suggested that the Arctic Council remains a model for inclusive diplomacy and focused research, while others suggest that the organisation requires transformation for the Arctic’s new role in the world.

On September 21st DurhamARCTIC teamed with the Embassy of Iceland in London to sponsor a symposium on the 25^th anniversary of Arctic Council’s founding. Having just completed its term as Arctic Council chair and as the sponsor of numerous pan-Arctic initiatives both within and outside the Arctic Council framework, Iceland is in a unique position to reflect on the changing Arctic policy and diplomacy landscape. 

Featured speakers included:

• Einar Gunnarsson, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials during the Icelandic Chairmanship of the Arctic Council (2019-2021), Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs
• Malgorzata Smieszek, Project Coordinator, UiT, the Arctic University of Norway
• Tom Barry, Executive Secretary, Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Working Group of the Arctic Council

A recording of the symposium can be accessed below. (Please note that owing to a technical fault, the first 15 minutes were not recorded).

To find out more about the Arctic Council see DurhamARCTIC's PhD student Romain Chuffart's article, The Arctic Council at 25 – regional governance in changing times