ASM4

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  Formal delegation of authority of the Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM) from Iceland to Russia and France took place on October 14, 2021 in Reykjavik at the Arctic Circle forum. ASM4 will coordinate international cooperation in the field of Arctic research in the period 2021-2023. The next Ministerial Meeting on the Development of Science in the Arctic (ASM4) is planned by Russia in April 2023. Initially, France intended to become a co-organizer of ASM4 and we stay open to resume this collaboration as appropriate.

A mobilizing and unifying factor in the activities within the framework of Russia's chairmanship of the Arctic Council could be the start of preparations for the fifth International Polar Year (IPY), which is supposed to be held in 2032-2033. Support for holding the next International Polar Year (IPY) was expressed in a statement by the Antarctic Parliamentary Assembly and the leadership of the University of the Arctic. At the Congress of the University of the Arctic in 2022 (MSU, Moscow) it is planned to hold a session on the preparation of the 5th International Polar Year in 2032-2033.

The results obtained in the above areas and the prospects for further work of scientific organizations in Russia and the countries of the Arctic Council are planned to be considered at international conferences and meetings provided for by the Plan of Main Activities in connection with the chairmanship of the Russian Federation in the Arctic Council.

            Currently, Russia is developing international work to study climate change in the Arctic and until 2023 will coordinate the activities of the Arctic Council within the framework of the Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM).

            The main task within the framework of the ASM4 format is to ensure the consistency and continuity of the ASM process, taking into account the priorities of Russia's chairmanship of the Arctic Council.

            The theme of "Responsible Governance for a Sustainable Arctic" is a cross-cutting priority of Russia's chairmanship of the Arctic Council.

The population of the Arctic, including indigenous peoples.

Environmental protection, including climate change issues.

Socio-economic development.

Strengthening the Arctic Council.

These directions will be the main ones in the activity in the ASM4 format.

            Action plan for the development of international scientific cooperation in the Arctic within the framework of ASM4.

Preparation, approval and adoption of the final scientific Report ASM4

Preparation and approval of a joint ministerial statement

Updating the Database of International Scientific Projects in the Arctic

Creation, filling and support of the site ASM4.

Holding conferences, seminars, round tables to promote the ASM4 format.

            ASM4 is also being planned to contribute to the promotion of scientific collective approaches to ensuring the sustainable development of the Arctic region. It is extremely important that people around the world perceive the Arctic as something related to their lives, and not as a distant and uncomfortable territory.

            It is also critical to build science and education capacity for Arctic residents, including indigenous communities, recognizing the importance of putting their knowledge into practice within their education system. Adapting education systems to include traditional and local knowledge is essential for Arctic residents to build resilience in their changing environment.

            Further strengthening of activities for the development of scientific and educational cooperation with the countries of the Arctic region is seen as relevant. The ASM research database will serve as an information resource for organizations and departments doing business in the Arctic.

 

History of the Arctic Council Ministers of Science Meetings:

 

2016 – 1st Arctic Science Ministerial Meeting (ASM1)

September 28, 2016, Washington, DC, USA. Science ministers from 25 governments and the European Union gathered at the White House to discuss Arctic research priorities and sign the Joint Statement.

The four themes of the Ministerial Meeting and the Joint Statement are:

- problems of Arctic science and their regional and global implications;

- Strengthening and integration of Arctic observations and data exchange;

- application of the expanded scientific understanding of the Arctic to increase the resilience of the regions and shape the global response;

- empowering citizens through education in science technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) using the Arctic sciences.

 

2018 – 2nd Arctic Science Ministerial Meeting (ASM2)

October 26, 2018, Berlin, Germany. A joint ministerial statement issued by the participants from 26 countries and regions declares the need to intensify international cooperation in the field of Arctic research. ASM2 is organized by Finland and Germany with the participation of the European Commission.

 

2020 – 3rd Conference of Arctic Science Ministers (ASM3)

May 8-9, 2021, Tokyo, Japan. The Third Meeting of Arctic Science Ministers (ASM3) was co-hosted by Iceland and Japan and took place on May 8-9, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Official meeting page: https://asm3.org/.

The meeting was held under the motto "Knowledge for sustainable development of the Arctic" and was focused on four priorities:

Observe: Observing networks; data-sharing — towards implementation.

Understand: Enhance understanding and prediction capability on Arctic environmental and social systems and its global impact.

Respond: Sustainable development; Evaluation of vulnerability and resilience; Application of Knowledge.

Strengthen: Capacity building; Education; Networking; Resilience — prepare the next generation.

            The main outcome of ASM3 was the Joint Statement, signed by the Ministers of the 27 participating countries, which proposed initiatives in accordance with the above four priorities for the development of the Arctic.

            Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Japan Mikhail Galuzin, speaking at ASM3, noted that “at present and for the coming decades, one of the most important strategic tasks of the Russian Federation is to develop a common mechanism for assessing the manifestation of climate change in the Arctic and the corresponding consequences for the living conditions of its population. This is dictated primarily by the geographical position of the Russian Federation, international cooperation and the trend of global climate change.

 

2023 – 4th Arctic Science Ministerial Conference (ASM4)

ASM4 activities planned by Russia.