International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) Overview

Definition and Mission The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) is a non-governmental, international scientific organization. The mission of IASC is to encourage and facilitate cooperation in all aspects of Arctic research, in all countries engaged in Arctic research and in all areas of the Arctic region, by promoting and supporting leading-edge multi-disciplinary research to foster a greater scientific understanding of the Arctic region and its role in the Earth system.

Member Countries IASC´s membership today includes national science organizations from 23 countries involved in Arctic research. IASC is an International Scientific Associate of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and observer on the Arctic Council.

Organizational Structure IASC draws on an organizational structure that provides mechanisms for initiating and implementing cutting-edge science-led international programs.

Working Groups Terrestrial Working Group Working Groups are IASC´s main scientific working bodies. They identify and formulate science plans, act as scientific advisory boards to the IASC Council and assist IASC in the implementation of its science mission. Cryosphere Working Group Marine Working Group Atmosphere Working Group Social & Human Working Group

IASC Advisory Group ISIRA The International Science Initiative in the Russian Arctic (ISIRA) is a Russian and international cooperative initiative to assist Russian Arctic science and sustainable development in the Russian Arctic by: Initiating planning of multinational research programs that address specific key problems in the Russian Arctic; Providing a forum for linking on-going or planned bilateral projects; Facilitating improved scientific access to the Russian Arctic and; Advising on funding and organizing implementation of projects. The group is chaired by Arkady Tishkov, Russian Academy of Sciences

IASC Fellowship Program Provides an opportunity for Early Career Scientists to become involved in leading-edge scientific activities at a circumarctic and international level, to build an international network of contacts and also to develop management skills. IASC Fellows at ASSW 2015

IASC Partner Organizations Type of Agreement Since Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) MoU, jointly with SCAR 2008 Circumpolar Health Research Network (CirchNet) LoA 2011 European Polar Board (EPB) 2014 Forum of Arctic Research Operators (FARO) MoU 2013 International Arctic Social Sciences Association (IASSA) International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS) LoA, jointly with SCAR International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) International Permafrost Association (IPA) 2009 Pacific Arctic Group (PAG) Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) 2006 University of the Arctic (UArctic) LoA, jointly with IASSA WCRP Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) MoA, jointly with SCAR Asian Forum for Polar Sciences (AFoPS) 2016 IASC maintains formal partnership agreements with a number of Polar organizations MoU: Memorandum of Understanding LoA: Letter of Agreement MoA: Memorandum of Agreement

International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) Highlights 2016

Arctic Research Priorities for the Next Decade The Role of the Arctic in the Global System Observing and Predicting Future Climate Dynamics and Ecosystem Responses Understanding the Vulnerability and Resilience of Arctic Environments and Societies and Supporting Sustainable Development

ASSW 2016 in Fairbanks attracted more than 1000 participants ASSW Business Meetings 3rd Arctic Observing Summit Arctic Council Senior Arctic Officials Meeting International Arctic Assembly Day

An International Review and Recommendations for the Future of IASC Chair: Colin Summerhayes (Scott Polar Research Institute, UK) Gunn-Britt Retter (Saami Council, Norway) Penelope Wagner (Norwegian Meteorological Institute) Craig Tweedie (The University of Texas at El Paso, USA) Hong Kum Lee (Korea Polar Research Institute) Tatiana Vlasova (Russian Academy of Science) Secretary: Nate Bauer (International Arctic Research Center, Fairbanks USA)

Review & Future of SAON SAON supports and strengthens the development of multinational engagement for sustained and coordinated pan-Arctic observing and data sharing systems that serve societal needs. SAON’s main deliverable bodies are its Arctic Data Committee & the Committee on Networks. SAON received a fairly critical external review in 2016: “With refinements to its Vision, Mission and Goals, improvements to its Organizational Structure, a new focus on funding and sustainability, and increased outreach and communication efforts, SAON should be able to make great strides in the next five years to enhance pan-Arctic observing networks to meet the needs of Arctic peoples.” In 2017, SAON is revisiting the Terms of Reference for its committees and drafting a new strategic plan to address its identified shortcomings.

Advisor / Observer to the Arctic Council The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic. IASC’s observer status on the Arctic Council was reviewed and re-approved in 2016. ECPHORS will be interested in the 2017- 2019 Finnish Chairmanship’s priority of Arctic meteorology.

SCAR/IASC Arctic and Antarctic Think Tank Meeting Establish joint SCAR/IASC Polar Task Force to prepare a suggestion of a small number of overarching themes that would benefit from research concerning both polar areas. Deliverables in June 2018. Potsdam (Germany), February 2016

IASC Strategy Think Tank Meeting Developing a strategy to address ICARP III priorities and recommendations of IASC Review. Akureyri (Iceland), October 2016

IASC Secretariat Moves to Akureyri (Iceland) Allen Pope is IASC´s new Executive Secretary as of 1 January 2017. Council thanked Iceland for the generous offer and unanimously decided that the IASC Secretariat would move to Iceland at the beginning of 2017.

Draft IASC Strategy The IASC Strategic Plan for the period 2017-2021 defines the directions by which the organization shall work to connect with and meet the overarching messages of ICARP III. The three pillars on which IASC’s coming five-year activities shall be based are: Pillar 1: Facilitating Arctic Research Cooperation Pillar 2: Promoting Engagement Pillar 3: Ensuring Knowledge Exchange IASC will mobilize all parts of the organization to work towards attaining the high goals of the Strategic Plan in the best possible way by the end of the five- year period.

Draft IASC Strategy Pillar 1: Facilitating Arctic Research Cooperation by… …promoting cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. …supporting sustained and coordinated observations. …facilitating data and information management and sharing.

Draft IASC Strategy Pillar 2: Promoting Engagement by… …building Arctic research capacity. …supporting indigenous participation. …nurturing and expanding IASC partnerships.

Draft IASC Strategy Pillar 3: Ensuring Knowledge Exchange by… …encouraging high-quality scientific output. …transferring knowledge to action. …increasing IASC’s visibility. …increasing Arctic science education, outreach, and communication.

Draft IASC Strategy IASC wants to make its vision more concrete. We are soliciting our Working Groups for science-focused activities and Partners for joint initiatives.

Upcoming: IASC Action Groups To achieve certain strategic aims, IASC is considering three particular action groups: …to better involve indigenous people and incorporate indigenous and local knowledge. …for cooperation with industry and the business community operating in the Arctic. …to address “Connecting Arctic Scientists and Policymakers.” We are looking for expressions of interest and I can put people in touch with those leading these groups...

Upcoming: Polar2018 Where the Poles come together A SCAR & IASC Conference Davos - Switzerland 15-26 June 2018 http://www.polar2018.org/ XXXV SCAR Biennial Meetings Arctic Science Summit Week & IASC Business Meetings  SCAR/IASC Open Science Conference 2018 Arctic Observing Summit