The Arctic Circle Japan Forum starts tomorrow in Tokyo, from March 4 to 6. The Forum will feature over 100 speakers from 20+ countries in more than 50 sessions. Among the participants are ministers, members of the National Diet of Japan, ambassadors, scientists as well as representatives from Asia, Europe, the United States, Indigenous communities and the private sector.
The Forum includes remarks from:
- H.E. Yoshimasa Hayashi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Japan
- H.E. Shunichi Suzuki, Minister of Finance, Japan
- H.E. Keiko Nagaoka, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan
- H.E. Akihiro Nishimura, Minister of the Environment, Japan
- H.E. Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Iceland
- H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of Arctic Circle and President of Iceland 1996-2016
- Yōhei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation
- Atsushi Sunami, President of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation
The Japan Forum will be devoted to an exploration of the challenges facing the Arctic region as the ice melts, with monumental consequences for the planet. Sea levels could rise at least 2 meters if Greenland's ice sheet continues to melt, posing a great threat to coastal and maritime states like Japan.
The Forum offers dialogues on how Asian states may further strengthen their part in the maintenance of successful and peaceful collaboration in the Arctic.
Among the topics are:
- Global consequences for melting ice
- Increased cooperation between Japan and Iceland
- Asia's role in the Arctic
- Indigenous knowledge in a melting Arctic
- Developing the Arctic economy
- Sustainable use of the Arctic Ocean
- Japan's Arctic policy
- Impacts of melting glaciers in the Himalayan Karakoram Hindu Kush Range
The Forum includes a dialogue between representatives from China, Japan and South Korea on the opportunities for cooperation in the Arctic; a dialogue on the contributions of observer states to the future of the Arctic Council and the introduction of a new Japanese Arctic research vessel. A special session focuses on Greenlanders' future vision, while another focuses on the path to a sustainable Arctic.
The Forum is held in partnership with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation and The Nippon Foundation.
Source: Arctic Circle