Knowledge for a sustainable Arctic, 3rd Arctic Science Ministerial Report, 08–09 May 2021 | Tokyo, Japan.

Abstract

To strengthen international cooperation and respond to the severe threat of climate change and biodiversity loss in the Arctic, the Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science and Culture and the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology co-organized the 3rd Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3) which was held in Tokyo on 08-09 May 2021. Delegates from 27 different countries and the European Commission, as well as representatives from Arctic Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations, gathered in Tokyo and online to discuss developments in international research and commit to future cooperation. This meeting was built on the themes initiated by the first Arctic Science Ministerial hosted by the United States and held in Washington, D.C. in 2016, and the second Arctic Science Ministerial co-hosted by the European Commission, Finland and Germany and held in Berlin in 2018. Knowledge for a Sustainable Arctic was the overarching theme for ASM3 and included four sub-themes under the titles: Observe, Understand, Respond, Strengthen. These reflect elements of the previous ASM themes and reintroduce an emphasis on education which appeared in the first Ministerial. The Science Advisory Board was brought together under the guiding principles for ASM3: transparency, inclusivity, and implementing a bottom-up approach to science. The ASM3 Science process followed the structure of the previous Ministerials by soliciting theme-based project updates and new projects from participating countries, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, and international organizations engaged in Arctic science and education, while also attempting to create a more formal consultation process with the wider research community through other international fora and through the ASM3 Webinar Series. This report includes the foundational outcomes of the ASM3 Science Process including the Science Summary, Joint Statement of Ministers, Arctic Research Overviews from countries and organizations, a summary of the ASM3 Webinar Series, Moving Forward document highlighting opportunities to advance international cooperation, and an Appendix documenting the outcomes of the consultation process with the wider Arctic research community. Additionally, some online resources were developed including recordings of the webinar series, a list of International Opportunities and Resources, and a new Project Database mapping all of the ASM3 submitted projects. The intention of this wide-reaching science process was to have robust and inclusive science outcomes to provide a strong foundation for all the final outcomes of the ASM3. These outcomes create useful tools for cooperation, deepen our understanding of both the achievements and challenges that lay ahead, and provide a strong framework for taking urgent action