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Today (08-31-15), the U.S. State Department will host a GLACIER: A Conference on Global Leadership in the Arctic.

Diplomats from 20 countries have convened in Anchorage to discuss challenges facing Arctic communities.

To view a live web stream of the President’s closing remarks around 5 p.m., visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

Live coverage of the President’s visit to Alaska is also available on GCI TV Channel 999 (HD) and Channel 1 (SD).

The GLACIER conference brings 450 policy-makers and stakeholders from 20 countries to Anchorage. All eight Arctic nations are represented, but so are many observer states like China, India, and the EU, who have political and economic interests in the high north.

This year, the U.S. started its three year term as head of the Arctic Council, taking over from Canada. Many in Alaska are hoping the conference represents a commitment from Washington to play a more active role confronting climate change, rural and indigenous issues, and lagging infrastructure investment in the region.

The conference also brings the first official visit from Presient Obama,
who’ll be speaking at the closing session around 5 p.m.

AGENDA

Conference on Global Leadership in the Arctic: Cooperation, Innovation, Engagement and Resilience (GLACIER)

Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center – Anchorage, Alaska

Monday, August 31, 2015

Opening Plenary (9:30am)

Traditional Welcome Ceremony: Mr. Lee Stephan, Tribal Chief from Eklutna

Remarks:

  • Mayor of Anchorage, Ethan Berkowitz
  • Mayor of the Northwest Arctic Borough of Alaska, Reggie Joule
  • Lieutenant Governor of Alaska, Byron Mallott
  • Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, Dr. John Holdren
  • Special Representative for the Arctic, Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr.
  • Secretary of State, Hon. John F. Kerry

Sessions Begin

FOREIGN MINISTER SESSION 11: “The Arctic’s Unique Role in Influencing the Global Climate”

Speakers:

  • Foreign Minister of Norway, Borge Brende (Chair)
  • Dr. Julie Brigham Grette, Chair of the Polar Research Board at the National Academies of Science (NAS)
  • Dr. Svante Bodin, European Director of the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI)

POLICY TRACK A, SESSION 1: “Building the Resilience of Arctic Coastal Communities in the Face of Climate Change”

Speaker:

  • Ms. Christina Goldfuss, Managing Director, White House Council on Environmental Quality

Panelists:

  • Hon. Fran Ulmer, Chair U.S. Arctic Research Commission (Moderator)
  • Mayor Reggie Joule, Northwest Arctic Borough
  • Ms. Robin Bronen, Executive Director, Alaska Immigration Justice Project
  • Mr. Craig Fleener, Arctic Policy Advisor to the Governor of the State of Alaska
  • Mr. Tommy Beaudreau, Chief of Staff, Department of the Interior

POLICY TRACK B, SESSION 1: “Strengthening International Preparedness and Cooperation for Emergency Response”

Moderator/Speaker:

  • Mr. Gary Rasicot, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of Marine Transportation Systems

Panelists:

  • Rear Admiral Gerd Glang, U.S. National Hydrographer and NOAA Director of the Office of Coast Survey
  • Rear Admiral Daniel Abel, Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard District, U.S. Coast Guard
  • Ms. April Brower, Director, North Slope Borough Search and Rescue
  • Captain Ásgrímur L. Ásgrímsson, Chief of Operations, Icelandic Coast Guard

Lunch

FOREIGN MINISTER LUNCH: Brief keynote remarks during a seated meal

Speaker: Mr. Evon Peter, Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community and Native Education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks

POLICY TRACKS A & B: Buffet Lunch

Sessions Resume

FOREIGN MINISTER SESSION 2: “Focus Session on Climate Resilience and Adaptation Planning”

Speakers:

  • Foreign Minister of Sweden, Margot Wallström (Chair)
  • The Honorable Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior, United States
  • Mr. Vittus Qujaukitsoq, Minister for Industry, Labour, Trade and Foreign Affairs, Greenland, Kingdom of Denmark
  • Professor Johan Rockström (moderator)

POLICY TRACK A, SESSION 2: “Protecting Communities and the Environment through Climate and Air Quality Projects”

Moderator/Speaker:

  • Ms. Jane Nishida, Acting Assistant Administrator for International and Tribal Affairs, U.S. EPA

Panelists:

  • Mr. Chris Rose, Executive Director, Renewable Energy Alaska Project
  • Mr. Jim Gamble, Aleut International Association
  • Ms. Ingunn Lindeman, Norwegian Environment Agency
  • Mr. Sameer Akbar, The World Bank

POLICY TRACK B, SESSION 2: “Preventing Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean”

Speaker:

  • Ambassador David Balton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries, Department of State

Panelists:

  • Dr. Peter Harrison, Professor Emeritus, Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada (Moderator)
  • Mr. Alf Håkon Hoel, Research Director Norwegian Institute of Marine Research
  • Ms. Stephanie Madsen, Executive Director, At-sea Processors Association
  • Dr. Vyacheslav Zilanov, Russian Association of the Fishermen of the North
  • Mr. Jim Stotts, Inuit Circumpolar Council
  • Mr. Stefaan Depypere, Director, International Affairs and Markets, DG Mare, European Commission

FOREIGN MINISTER SESSION 3: “Strengthening Arctic Cooperation and Coordination on Ocean Stewardship, Environmental Protection, and Support to Local Communities”

Participants:

  • Foreign Minister Soini (Finland), Chair
  • Foreign Minister Jensen (Denmark)
  • Foreign Minister Sveinsson (Iceland)
  • Foreign Minister Brende (Norway)
  • U.S. Secretary of State, John F. Kerry

POLICY TRACK A, SESSION 3: “Healthy Arctic Homes: Designing Cold Climate Structures for the 21st Century (Addressing Health, Efficiency, & Resiliency through Innovative Housing Technologies)”

Moderator/Speaker:

  • Dr. Michael Bruce, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arctic Investigations Program – Alaska

Panelists:

  • Mr. Bill Griffith, State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Water and Sewer Challenge
  • Mr. John Warren, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
  • Mr. Jack Hébert, Cold Climate Housing Research Center
  • Mr. Stefan Lindbäck, Lindbäcks Bygg, Sweden

POLICY TRACK B, SESSION 3: “Strengthening Observation Networks”

Speaker:

  • Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere

Panelists:

  • Ms. Christine Daae Olseng, Special Adviser on Polar Research, Norwegian Research Council and Chair of SAON (Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks)
  • Mr. Michael Y. Brubaker, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
  • Mr. Jim Stotts, Inuit Circumpolar Council – Alaska
  • Dr. Hajo Eicken, University of Alaska & Study of Arctic Environmental Change (SEARCH)
  • Hon. Fran Ulmer, U.S. Arctic Research Commission (Moderator)

Concluding Remarks

End Event (5:30pm)