Proposal from Iceland to host UArctic Congress 2020

Presented by Eyjólfur Guðmundsson to the UArctic Council Meeting in Oulu, September 4th 2018 WELCOME TO UARCTIC CONGRESS IN AKUREYRI AND REYKJAVIK IN 2020

• The Icelandic institutes of higher education – as listed to the left - jointly propose to host the UArctic Congress in Iceland.

• Following the example of the UArctic Congress 2018 in Finland, the proposed event will be held in Akureyri, northern Iceland, and Reykjavík, the northernmost capital of the world.

• The Congress will have three major components: UArctic meetings for representatives of the Council, Thematic Networks, and rectors; Sessions aligned with the priorities of Iceland’s Arctic Council Chairmanship; Numerous side-meetings and events.

2 THE ICELANDIC PROPOSAL (CONT.)

• Convening the 2020 UArctic Congress in Iceland is suitable timing.

• Iceland will serve as chair of the Arctic Council (AC) from May 2019 through 2020.

• The eight partners will work closely with the respective ministries with Arctic portfolios, such as Education and Science, Environment, and Foreign Affairs.

University of Akureyri: 2001 University of Iceland: 2011 University Centre of the Reykjavik University: 2013 Westfjords: 2006 Iceland University of the Arts: 2015 Bifröst University: 2006

3 Iceland is perfectly situated midway between USA and Europe with only 3 hours flight from Europe and 5 hours flight from USA

Flights from KEF/REK to AEY are 35 to 45 minutes.

4 REYKJAVÍK AS A CONFERENCE CITY

• Small but offers everything that large cities do – Small-scale urban center that attendees find easy to navigate – Hassle-free city center that is safe, clean and packed with restaurants, shopping and culture – Broad spectrum of first-rate accommodations and Conference hotels GREEN REYKJAVÍK

• Reykjavik City has put forward a climate policy paper with an action plan where goals are established for a carbon-neutral city 2040

• Reykjavik has a Global Destination Sustainability Index benchmarking score of 79% while the global average is 59%

• Reykjavik is only minutes a way from nature AKUREYRI – HOME TO INTERNATIONAL ARCTIC INSTITUTES

• IASC (The International Arctic Science Committee)

• The Secretariats of the Arctic Council Working Groups PAME (Protection of Arctic Marine Environment) and CAFF (Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna)

• The Polar Law Institute; The Stefansson Arctic Institute and more …

https://www.northiceland.is/en

7 University of Iceland Hof, Akureyri

POSSIBLE CONFERENCE VENUES

University of Akureyri University of Reykjavik Harpa, Reykjavík

8 UARCTIC CONGRESS – PLANNING

• Local Organizing Committees will be established this fall to coordinate this event. – The University of Akureyri is at present bolstering the Northern Research Forum (UArctic Institute), to support the coordination. • This offer has full backing from the highest level of the Icelandic Government. • Has solid support from the Icelandic science community.

9 Welcome to the UArctic Congress in Iceland in 2020