ArCS Arctic Challenge for Sustainability Project

Dispatch of Experts to AC -related Meetings

Dispatch of Experts to AC -related Meetings

Venue of the Second Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM2) / Photo by Hiroyuki Enomoto (National Institute of Polar Research)

At the request of relevant ministries and government offices, experts in specific fields were dispatched to the Arctic Council (AC) working groups and other Arctic-related meetings so that the findings from Japanese Arctic research activities were applied to solutions for various Arctic issues, thereby aiming not only to contribute to the international community, but also to boost Japan’s presence as part of its science and technology diplomacy. With regard to AC-related meetings, experts capable of expressing scientific opinions were dispatched to Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF), and other working group–level scientific discussions, Scientific Cooperation Task Force (SCTF) and other task forces, and expert meetings such as Expert Group on Black Carbon and Methane (EGBCM). As for non-AC-related meetings, several sessions were held in the Arctic Circle and the Arctic Frontiers, where we introduced this project and other activities and findings of Japan’s Arctic research. Over the past five years, 86 experts were dispatched to a total of 65 assemblies, including 19 AC working groups and expert groups related meetings, and international conferences. As our new initiative, we also held debrief sessions and roundtable conferences with Japanese government officials in collaboration with Theme 7 to establish a communication channel where directions, findings, and possible cooperation of our scientific activities can be actively delivered. ArCS project is the first initiative in Japan that connects Arctic science, society, and policies together. The activities in this project that gained recognition through the efforts were introduced in the Third Basic Plan on Ocean Policy (2018) as Japanese scientific research activities that offer solutions for Arctic issues. The heightened expectations for Japan’s scientific contribution and science diplomacy also led to the hosting of the 2020 the Third Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3) in Japan.

Examples of the science-based contribution to AC

Experts participated as an author and reviewer in the preparation of various reports created by the AC’s Working Groups and Expert Groups. Also, they wrote an annual report on Japan’s research activity and scientific and international legal analysis in the development of the agreement.

Report
AMAP SWIPA (Snow, Water, Ice, Permafrost in the Arctic)
AACA (Adaptation Actions for Changing Arctic)
AOA (Arctic Ocean Acidification)
PAME Synthesis of Knowledge on Fisheries Science in the Central Arctic Ocean and Adjacent Waters
*Issued by WGICA
EGBCM Expert Group on Black Carbon and Methane; Summary of Progress and Recommendations
Expert Group on Black Carbon and Methane Summary Of Progress And Recommendations 2019
Annual report on the Japan's research activity
CBird Circumpolar Seabird Expert Group (CBird) Implementation Update, Japan, 2019
Agreement
SCTF Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation

Research background and overview

Please see here.