News & Press Releases

Arctic Portal News Portlet

9 May 2025

ChatGPT Image May 9 2025 12 30 08 PMNew research shows that explosive high-latitude eruptions—like those possible in Iceland—could trigger dramatic climate disruptions.

6 May 2025

Indigenous reindeer herders, Sámi political leaders, and international experts convened to spotlight the challenges of land fragmentation and its impact on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)

During a powerful side event at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) inNew York on 22 April 2025, Indigenous reindeer herders, Sámi political leaders, and international experts came together to highlight the growing pressures facing nomadic pastoralist communities in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. With land fragmentation accelerating, participants warned that reindeer herding is approaching a dangerous tipping point, threatening both cultural survival and ecological balance.

5 May 2025

Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson at the Arctic Circle India Forum 2025The Arctic Circle India Forum took place recently in New Delhi, bringing together high-level participants from across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Arctic. This two-day international forum, hosted at the Taj Palace Hotel, marked the first major global event focused on the Arctic since former U.S. President Donald J. Trump introduced a new policy stance on Greenland and the Arctic region.

2 May 2025

Svalbard MapAn interesting study published in Nature Communications in January 2025—titled “Pervasive glacier retreats across Svalbard from 1985 to 2023” (authors: Tian Li, Stefan Hofer, Geir Moholdt, Adam Igneczi, Konrad Heidler, Xiao Xiang Zhu & Jonathan Bamber), has revealed the most detailed picture to date of glacier loss in the Arctic archipelago. Using artificial intelligence to analyze nearly four decades of satellite data, researchers found that over 91% of Svalbard’s marine-terminating glaciers have retreated since 1985. The findings highlight not only the severity of climate-driven changes in the region but also the expanding role of AI in monitoring Earth’s rapidly transforming environments.

2 May 2025

AWI New Director Maarten BoersmaFrom 1 May 2025, Professor Dr. Maarten Boersma will take over as Acting Director of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). He steps into the role following the departure of Professor Dr. Antje Boetius, who has been appointed President of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in California.

27 April 2025

Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)The Icelandic Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries has issued new five-year hunting permits for fin and minke whales, following advice from the Marine & Freshwater Research Institute. The permits allow for an annual catch of up to 161 fin whales and 217 minke whales through 2029, under strict quotas designed to ensure sustainable harvesting based on the precautionary approach to resource management.

22 April 2025

APS March Issue 2025The peer-reviewed, open-access journal Advances in Polar Science (APS) has released its latest issue—Volume 36, Issue 1—published in March 2025. This edition features eight research articles covering a range of topics relevant to polar science. Below, you will find the titles and key highlights from each paper. For full access to the articles and additional information, visit the APS website.

14 April 2025

Call forChapters NewGeopolitics BRICSA call for contributions has been announced for the upcoming edited volume The Arctic's New Geopolitics: BRICS+ Policies and Investments, under the editorial guidance of Dr. Alexandra Middleton and Dr. Monojit Das.

11 April 2025

13.7 EllesmereIsland MAP LowResEllesmere Island, one of the northernmost landmasses on Earth, is part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Known for its remote and extreme environment, the island has been significant in Indigenous history, scientific research, and Arctic exploration.

10 April 2025

ArcticCouncil Denmark ChairshipOn 11 April, the Kingdom of Demark will present their upcoming Arctic Council Chairship program during an event in Nuuk, Greenland.

The event starts at 14:00 local time / 15:00 UTC / 17:00 CEST - Livestream!

3 April 2025

Alaska Workshop Series 2025As Alaskans look toward a more resilient and sustainable future, lessons from Iceland’s energy and economic landscape offer valuable insights.

The upcoming Pre-Conference Virtual Workshop Series 2025 continues with Workshop 2: Building Alaska’s Future: Insights from Iceland, scheduled for April 8-9 from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM AKT / 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM ET on Zoom.

Registration is free - Register now!

1 April 2025

Eruption in Iceland March 2025

Eruption just started on the morning of 1st April 2025 in close proximity of the town Grindavík, Iceland. Unfortunately part of the eruption is happening inside of the defensive fortifications that were made in the last two years to secure the town from further damage.

31 March 2025

Germany Arctic Policy 2024In September 2024, the German government released its updated Arctic Policy Guidelines, titled “Germany and the Arctic in the Context of the Climate Crisis and the Zeitenwende.”cument marks a significant shift in Germany’s approach to Arctic affairs, reflecting both the escalating climate crisis and the region’s evolving geopolitical landscape.

31 March 2025

The Frederik Paulsen - Arctic Academic Action Award 2025There is still time to submit nominations for the 2025 Frederik Paulsen Arctic Academic Action Award– the call closes on April 30. Please share this opportunity with your colleagues, networks, anyone you think might be interested!

28 March 2025

Forum Arctic Forum - Territory of DialogueThe International Forum Arctic Territory of Dialogue was held in Murmansk, Russia, on March 26 and 27 with the theme - To live in the North!

Arctic Portal.org - 2025 © All rights reserved.

When quoting, reusing or copying any material on the arcticportal.org or any of its sub-sites including but not limiting to: information, news, articles, data, maps or images, in part or in full, a citation stating the origin and a hyperlink to www.arcticportal.org is required.