The common challenges facing the Arctic and Himalayan regions were discussed in Kathmandu by nearly a hundred researchers and experts. Photo: Jitendra Raj Bajracharya/ICIMOD.
The second Inter-Polar Conference was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, 3rd to 5th September. With close to one hundred international participants, many common issues were discussed and next steps forward were mapped.
The event was jointly organized by the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, ICIMOD, and the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI), together with UArctic network partners, under the main theme Cryosphere, People, and Climate Change.
The conference organizing committee was led by research professor Kamrul Hossain from the Arctic Centre.
“I think the event went well as we expected, with crucial keynotes, plenary discussions, and young scholars with brilliant minds from both Arctic and the Third Pole HKH. This time, we had some additions to this conference, such as a photo exhibition portraying wildlife, humans, and cultures of both the Arctic and HKH. We also organized a more inclusive set of workshops, with all participants joining to discuss freely and provide us with input to produce a white paper to be presented at COP 30 this year, synthesizing the conference theme”, says Hossain.
According to Hossain, it was agreed in principle to continue this process also in the future. ICIMOD is ready to host the event again.
“Perhaps the next one will be in 2027. However, we need to work on that in the coming year, Concerning the aims of the potential third one, we will be even more focused. After we conclude this one, we will have some follow-up meetings to discuss the content and scope of the next event, as well as other practical considerations. year”, says Hossain.
The director of the Arctic Centre, Johanna Ikävalko, participated now for the first time to the event.
“For me, this has been an eye-opening experience. The Arctic region and the Himalaya region, the Third Pole”, have surprisingly many common questions and it is important to discuss those together. here are good grounds to say that we can also find common solutions. For the Arctic Centre, this is an important international opening”, says Ikävalko.
Welcoming words on behalf of the Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland were given by director Johanna Ikävalko. Photo: Jitendra Raj Bajracharya/ICIMOD.
Research professor Kamrul Hossain led the conference organizing committee and had the pleasure to give the closing statement of the successful event. Photo: Markku Heikkilä.
More information:
Research professor Kamrul Hossain
Director of the Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law
Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
kamrul.hossain@ulapland.fi, +358 40 484 4281