An international conference dealing with the present and future of the Arctic was launched in the port city of Busan.
Running from Dec. 6 to 9, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries launched the Arctic Partnership Week 2016 under the theme of “Partnership for a Sustainable Arctic” at the Busan Port Authority Terminal and the Korea National Maritime Museum. This was the first time that a conference of this kind was held outside of the Arctic Circle. The conference was attended by representatives of six countries from the Arctic Council, the U.S., Russia, Canada, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, and two observer countries, China and Japan.
During the 4-day conference, the participants discussed a wide range of issues affecting the Arctic such as climate change, usage of the polar aircraft route, and resource development. They engaged in talks covering multilateral cooperation on arctic policy, science, industry, and culture.
The Arctic Science Cooperation Seminar is held during the Arctic Partnership Week 2016 at the Busan Port Authority Terminal on Dec. 6.
Six countries from the Arctic Council, the U.S., Russia, Canada, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, and two observer countries, China and Japan attend the Arctic Partnership Week 2016 held in Busan, Korea on Dec. 6.
During the Arctic Science Cooperation Seminar, researchers raised concerns about climate change in the Arctic, and its impact on Northeast Asia. They also discussed the concentrations of methane in arctic underwater vents which can lead to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the Polar Aircraft Route Seminar surveyed topics such as flight conditions along the arctic circle, as well as the industrial and economic benefits of the polar aircraft route. During the Polar Resource Development Seminar, participants discussed the exploration of Alaska’s oil reserves, as well as the use of satellites and drones as a means for polar navigation.
Researchers present their findings on science diplomacy at a seminar held during the Arctic Partnership Week 2016 on Dec. 6.
“I was impressed by the level of interest expressed by regular citizens with regards to issues concerning the Arctic,” said James Gamble, Executive Director at Aleut International Association (AIA). He continued by saying, “I hope to see further collaboration between Busan and Anchorage, or Korea and Alaska in the near future in line with the Korea-Norway Arctic Research Seminar at this year’s conference.”
By Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries
hlee10@korea.kr
