From 2009-03-03 to 2009-03-06

Venue: Monaco (by invitation only)

Summary:
Climate change is accelerating the transformation of environmental, social and cultural landscapes across the Arctic and Subarctic. These alterations, including their global impact, have yet to be comprehensively evaluated and monitored. To address this challenge, a coordinated effort is required that brings together relevant natural and social science expertise, cultural and educational perspectives, as well as appropriate ethical frameworks.

To this end, UNESCO is organising an international experts meeting on climate change and sustainable development in the Arctic, which will be held in Monaco from 3-6 March 2009. H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco is providing his support for the meeting, and will host and open the event, alongside the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura. Mr Achim Seiner, Executive Secretary of UNEP, will also address the experts group.

The expert meeting has a twofold objective: first, to provide a broad overview of changes due to global warming that are anticipated across the circumpolar North and to investigate ways that they be monitored; and second, to assess the scientific, social, cultural and educational challenges that must be met to ensure the region’s sustainable development within a global context.

Organizers: The Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) programme of UNESCO
Contact Name: Douglas Nakashima
E-mail: links@unesco.org
URL: http://portal.unesco.org/science/en/ev.php-URL_ID=1945&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html