The Arctic Observing Summit Peter Schlosser Columbia University, New York SAON Retreat; Frascati, Italy; June 28 2017

Arctic Observing Summit (AOS) SAON Task Biennial gathering, workspace and forum: GOAL: Design, implementation, coordination & sustained operation of international, pan-Arctic observing system Network: Arctic observing system of systems Comprehensive: cross-disciplinary Community-driven Science-based guidance The AOS initiative originated from widespread agreement on the need to improve the coverage and coordination of pan-Arctic observing activities, and the communication and utilization of observational information to and by the widest possible audience for the purposes of basic research, problem solving, and decision-making. There is an ongoing demand to facilitate dialogue among researchers, designers and data users to enable responding and adapting to Arctic environmental change and this includes the iterative development of recommendations to foster the coordination of observing activities and improving collaboration among existing Arctic observing systems. Planning and development led by ISAC and partners (SAON, IASC, others) www.arcticobservingsummit.org

The Arctic Observing Summit (AOS) PLATFORM: address urgent & broadly recognized needs of Arctic observing across all components of the Arctic System FORUM: optimizing resource allocation, minimizing gaps; avoiding duplication. WORKSPACE: develop solutions, recommendations, and make tangible contributions for operation Arctic Observing System of systems Stakeholders (All sectors) Managers Scientists The AOS initiative originated from widespread agreement on the need to improve the coverage and coordination of pan-Arctic observing activities, and the communication and utilization of observational information to and by the widest possible audience for the purposes of basic research, problem solving, and decision-making. There is an ongoing demand to facilitate dialogue among researchers, designers and data users to enable responding and adapting to Arctic environmental change and this includes the iterative development of recommendations to foster the coordination of observing activities and improving collaboration among existing Arctic observing systems.

AOS Goals To provide community-driven, science-based guidance for the design, implementation, coordination and sustained long-term (decades) operation of an International Network of Arctic Observing systems that serves a wide spectrum of needs To create a forum for coordination and exchange between researchers, stakeholders, and funding agencies involved in long-term observing activities.

AOS Objectives, Products, Audience Engage academia, government agencies and other Arctic stakeholders (e.g. local communities, industry, non-governmental organizations). Assess the scientific basis for the Arctic observing activities. Synthesize network design options and observing priorities into recommendations for decision makers. Identify network issues that require SAON attention.

Arctic Observing Summits Biennial, with Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) A SAON task (Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks Arctic Council & IASC) 1st: AOS 2013: Vancouver, B. C. Canada 2nd: AOS 2014: Helsinki, Finland (with ASSW 2014) 3rd: AOS 2016: Fairbanks, USA (with ASSW 2016) UPCOMING 4th: AOS & Polar 2018: Davos, Switzerland Next AOS will take place in March 2016 in Fairbanks, Alaska, at the University of Alaska March 12 to 18 – all ASSW and AOS events; AOS from 15 to 18 March

AOS Themes Next AOS will take place in March 2016 in Fairbanks, Alaska, at the University of Alaska March 12 to 18 – all ASSW and AOS events; AOS from 15 to 18 March

AOS Outcomes White Papers Recommendations Conference Statements Next AOS will take place in March 2016 in Fairbanks, Alaska, at the University of Alaska March 12 to 18 – all ASSW and AOS events; AOS from 15 to 18 March

AOS 16 Outcomes (examples) SAON identified as appropriate entity for coordination & implementation of integrated Arctic observing system (of systems); AOS as a support & evaluation process Public/private partnerships & links: “business case” of observing system needs to be made; permitting/regulatory process as focal point for coordination Indigenous Knowledge/Food security lens with implications outlined in report Data management – work with/through global entities (e.g., GEO) to advance open access & best practices Next AOS will take place in March 2016 in Fairbanks, Alaska, at the University of Alaska March 12 to 18 – all ASSW and AOS events; AOS from 15 to 18 March

AOS 2018 24 - 26 June 2018; Davos Current OC: Peter Schlosser (Co-Chair), Hajo Eicken (Past-Co Chair), Eva Krummel (Past Co-Chair, SAON rep), Koni Steffen (Davos, Local OC), Larry Hinzman (Past Local OC),, Maribeth Murray, (Ex Officio, ISAC), Jan Rene Larsen (Ex Officio, SAON), Allen Pope (Ex Officio, IASC), Volker Rachold (Ex Officio, Past IASC rep), Barbara Ryan (GEO), Mike Sparrow, WCRP, Rodica Nitu, WMO (still TBD), Josh Tewksbury, Future Earth, (still TBD), EC-PHORS – individual to be determined Themes: Under development: The focus of the 2018 AOS is building the business case for an observing system, looking at individual aspects of the system with expert groups (direct recommendation from 2016) Next AOS will take place in March 2016 in Fairbanks, Alaska, at the University of Alaska March 12 to 18 – all ASSW and AOS events; AOS from 15 to 18 March

Perspectives Need for Arctic Observing System has been firmly established Components of the system are being implemented in a network fashion Multi-Stakeholder nature of system well established International contributions are growing International collaboration is increasing Optimization of observing system intrinsically challenging Prioritization: ongoing challenge Long-term support still a problem Danger of gaps in emerging time series Transition to mission-oriented agencies is critical for success

Outline Rationale for Arctic Observing System Features of an Arctic Observing System Status of Implementation Role of Arctic Observing Summit Perspectives