Day 2: Wilson Center-Arctic Circle Forum

The Global Arctic: Opportunities and Challenges

Building on the June 21 sessions focused on the U.S. and Russia in the Arctic, this set of panels explored two areas of critical importance to the Arctic states and the global community. Experts shared perspectives on key priorities for economic development in the Arctic and on the challenges and needs for cooperation to ensure international support in Arctic waters.

The complete agenda for Day 1 can be found here>>>

 

8:25am to 8:30am: Welcome: Mike Sfraga, Director, Polar Initiative, Wilson Center

8:30am to 8:45am: Keynote: President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson

8:45am to 10:15am: Investing for a Sustainable Arctic Future: The Role of the Arctic Economic Council: The recently formed Arctic Economic Council (AEC) works to facilitate responsible and sustainable business and economic development of the Arctic and its communities. What are the environmental and social challenges of meeting economic development in the Arctic? And how should Arctic investments be considered alongside developing trade policies?

• Price E. Brower, Chairman of the Board of Directors, UIC
• Roger-Mark de Souza, Director, Population, Environmental Security, and Resilience, Wilson Center
• Kristina Woolston, Vice President for External Relations, Quintillion
• Drue Pearce, Director, Government Affairs, Holland & Hart and Former Alaska Senate President
• Facilitated by Tero Vauraste, President & CEO, Arctia and Chairman, Arctic Economic Council

10:15am to 10:30am: Coffee Break

10:30am to 12:00pm: Operational Safety and Security in Arctic Waters: Rapid changes in Arctic sea ice cover, climate and new opportunities for shipping, resource extraction, fishing, and illicit traffic in Arctic seas call for an international dialog on shared operational capabilities and responsibilities. A group of leading experts will present on opportunities to enhance domain awareness in Arctic seas to promote shared safety and security. Discussion on the needs for enhanced infrastructure will focus on whether ice breaking capacity and operational regimes,  and supporting port infrastructure and facilities are sufficient. What is the efficacy of key regulatory regimes such as the Polar Code and the Arctic Council agreements on search and rescue and oil spill prevention and response preparedness?

• Lawson Brigham, Distinguished Fellow & Faculty, University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Jeremy T. Mathis, Director, NOAA Arctic Research Program 
• Desmond Raymond, Regional Director, Marine Safety and Security, Transport Canada
• Mead Treadwell, Co-Chair, Polar Initiative, Wilson Center and President, PT Capital and former Lt. Governor, Alaska
• Tero Vauraste, President & CEO, Arctia and Chairman, Arctic Economic Council
• Facilitated by Sherri Goodman, Senior Fellow, Wilson Center and former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense

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