As the largest Arctic policy and business conference in North America, with partners and convenings worldwide, the Arctic Encounter continues to gather leading voices from around the world. The Arctic Encounter is eager to welcome 1,000+ participants to Alaska for a world-class arts and cultural experience, including policy debates, dialogue with international leaders, business executives, Indigenous peoples, scientists, students, defense leaders, diplomats, policymakers, and more.

This “breakout session,” in the Arctic Encounter Symposium program, will be held from 10:25 to 11:25 am on April 11th in the Dena’ina Center’s “Tubughnenq’” meeting room. The session will be moderated by John Farrell, USARC, and will include panelists: Mark Myers, USARC, Geoff Ellis, US Geological Survey, and Erin Whitney, DOE Arctic Energy Office. 

Recent discoveries have overturned the previously held view that naturally occurring geological hydrogen is an insignificant source of hydrogen, which can deliver and store a tremendous amount of clean energy with only water as a byproduct. Based on drilling in Africa, Europe, Australia, and the lower 48, a number of new companies have sprung up with the goal of finding and extracting natural hydrogen gas. While there are geological settings in Alaska, and the broader Arctic region, that may be conducive to producing natural hydrogen, which are typically not associated with oil and gas deposits, they have yet to be studied and assessed. Hydrogen can be used to power vehicles, ships, planes, power generators, and other industrial applications. And it’s likely that natural hydrogen can be produced at a lower price and with lower energy (less carbon) than other types of hydrogen, including that created from renewable energy.

Subsistence hunters in Northwest Alaska and several North Slope communities are now allowed to hunt only 15 caribou a year – a significant decrease from five animals a day. Non-local hunters are prohibited from hunting caribou in the Northwest Arctic until the herd sufficiently rebounds. To preserve the declining Western Arctic Caribou Herd, the Federal Subsistence Board during the Wildlife Regulatory Meeting this week reduced the hunting of the herd from five animals a day to 15 a year, with only one of which can be a cow. That closure is in effect in the Northwest Arctic and the western part of the North Slope. Regulators also voted to close caribou hunt in the Northwest Arctic to non-federally qualified subsistence users to reduce pressure on the herd.

Diplomats, indigenous leaders, and many more gathered in Anchorage for the annual Arctic Encounter Symposium. The Arctic Encounter touches on subjects like climate, and subsistence and shares ideas on how to keep the Arctic way of life. This is George Sielak's second Symposium. He lives above the Arctic Circle, where climate is a big issue and something he would like to see discussed at the Symposium.

The Department of Homeland Security recently selected the University of Alaska Anchorage to house a new research facility focused on Arctic security. The Arctic Domain Awareness Center is the newest of nine Homeland Security “Centers of Excellence” at universities across the country. Officials marked the start of the research partnership at the UAA Library on Tuesday by cracking a ribbon made of ice with an ice axe.

IARPC and collaborators have compiled a list of planned research expedition dates, planned routes, and research goals for 2024 expeditions in Alaska and Arctic waters. Our hope is that researchers can use the information about research expeditions to coordinate activities, and that communities can use it to understand what vessels are in their waters and how to contact them if necessary. You can view the list here. The information will be regularly updated and sent out to those on the email distribution list.

Organizers seek nominations for individuals interested in serving on the UNOLS Arctic Marine Research Capabilities Committee. The committee will consist of:

1. Up to 12 people
2. Chair – an academic researcher
3. 8-9 members from the research vessel user community including international membership and disciplinary balance.
4. 3-4 Technical / Operational Experts (naval architects, R/V operators, and R/V Technical Support personnel).

Self-nominations are strongly encouraged.  If you are interested in representing community perspectives on current and emerging needs for polar research, we urge you to apply for membership on the AMRCC.  Applicants or nominees should submit a brief statement of interest in serving on AMRCC along with a CV to the UNOLS Office by email <office@unols.org>. Please include information about your sea-going and/or polar experience.  Statements of Interest and CVs are requested by April 28, 2024.  Appointments will be made in a manner to achieve a balance of expertise in the different scientific disciplines and technical areas.  Committee members will be formally appointed by the UNOLS Chair.  

Presented by the U.S. Commercial Service Canada, CanArctic Industry Days is set to bring together U.S. exporters from strategic sectors with Canadian Arctic Indigenous groups. The program is designed to foster a bilateral dialogue centered on knowledge sharing, the expansion of economic development opportunities in Canada's Arctic, and the exploration of potential bilateral partnerships within this dynamically evolving and geo-strategic region. Taking place in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and Iqaluit, Nunavut—two strategically chosen locations—this event promises a unique and impactful experience for all U.S. company presenters.

The European Commission and the European External Action Service jointly host the EU Arctic Forum and Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue. The EU Arctic Forum will provide an opportunity to assess recent developments in the Arctic and to discuss challenges ahead. It will look at some of the achievements of the EU Arctic policy in recent years and will continue to provide a strategic outlook for the years to come. The Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue will offer a platform for discussion on Arctic matters affecting Indigenous Peoples.

Launch Alaska hosts this event to celebrate Launch Alaska Portfolio companies and build new connections between the people and projects accelerating the energy transition in Alaska. This event is held the day before the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference and is part of that program. 

Guided by the theme “Transforming Energy Now for the Next 50 Years,” the 2024 Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference will focus on real world examples in Alaska and around the globe demonstrating progress in the energy transition including established renewable sources, advancements in energy storage, and emerging technologies such as green fuels and advanced nuclear power. World-renowned speakers and experts will highlight the agenda, along with breakout tracks, panel discussions, and multiple networking opportunities.

Nordland Research Institute and NORD University host this event. The congress includes high-level plenary sessions, several parallel sessions, network activities, and social and cultural events. Researchers, policymakers, businesses, and students exchange knowledge and connect across the Arctic. IASSA and UArctic will also hold their General Assemblies.

The 12^th International Conference on Permafrost will consider “Integrating Perspectives of Permafrost Thaw, Change, and Adaptation.” The conference will address the most recent developments and stimulate engaging technical and scientific discussions among academics, professionals, contractors, suppliers, and students. The impacts of climate change and economic development have significantly changed the Arctic, in recent decades, resulting in a wealth of research initiatives and challenging engineering projects. Event partners include the Canadian Permafrost Association, IPA, and Yukon University.

In lead up to its 35th anniversary in 2025, the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) is coordinating a multi-year planning process for the Fourth International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV) that will engage Arctic researchers, policymakers, residents, and stakeholders from around the world to collegially discuss the state of Arctic science, the place the Arctic occupies in global affairs and systems, to consider the most urgent knowledge gaps and research priorities that lie before us and to explore avenues to address these research needs. This event is hosted by a consortium of US institutions, including the University of Colorado Boulder, University of Northern Iowa, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Alaska Pacific University. ICARP I, II, and III focused the attention of the world’s researchers toward the value of strategic international coordination in accelerating progress in addressing critical challenges. ICARP IV will build upon this concept by striving to achieve consensus and build collaborations among the leading scientific, academic, environmental, Indigenous and political organizations currently concerned with Arctic issues.