The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate […]
Last month saw for the first time the Arctic Circle knit together Earth’s three polar regions: the Arctic, the Antarctic and the Himalayas with its new dedicated Polar Dialogue initiative, organized and hosted during its annual Assembly.
Chair of the Dialogue, H.E. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland 2017-2024; described “the challenges regarding the cryosphere [as] urgent," and co-chair Antje Boetius, Director, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Germany described the initiative as a “platform [for stakeholders to] keep that level of urgency but build a sphere of trust.”
ICIMOD Director General Pema Gyamtsho joined the Dialogue and sits on the platform’s Advisory Committee of global experts in polar and high-altitude research.
At the session he emphasized common issues shared by polar and mountain zones—from glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), erratic weather patterns, to flash floods and thawing permafrost—and called for urgent action and investment in research, mitigation, adaptation; and unprecedented cooperation and collaboration to address escalating risks and build resilience for vulnerable regions.
Boetius said: “Every year we have new data that we need to take into consideration. Humanity as a whole bears a huge commitment with the cryosphere. It's not just the physical property of ice but the loss of cultural diversity."
While the Arctic and Antarctic have long been recognized as critical polar regions, the HKH, which spans eight countries and is home to the world's highest peaks, including Mount Everest, deserves equal recognition due to its vital role as a water tower for nearly 2 billion people and its immense contribution to global climate regulation.
The Polar Dialogue serves as a unique platform to share insights, data, and research on the impacts of climate change in both polar and mountain regions, fostering collaboration across continents.
The Arctic Circle Assembly is the world’s largest annual gathering dedicated to Arctic and global issues held in Reykjavík, Iceland. Drawing over 2000 participants, it convenes heads of state, policymakers, scientists, environmentalists, indigenous leaders, business executives, and civil society members to discuss and address the evolving challenges and opportunities within the Arctic region.
The Arctic Circle Assembly is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organisation, chaired by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, the former President of Iceland. Its significance lies in its ability to foster dialogue and action on the most pressing issues of our time, particularly in the context of the Arctic's role in the global climate system.
Sources:
https://www.arcticcircle.org/journal/the-polar-dialogue
https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2024-09-23-katrin-leidir-umraedur-a-arctic-circle-422970