Last Updated: Monday, May 10, 2021 17:12
Canada pushed for more Arctic research collaboration and for “meaningful and respectful partnerships between Arctic researchers and Indigenous peoples” at a two-day meeting of science ministers that concluded in Japan on Sunday.
The 3rd Arctic Science Ministerial held in Tokyo over the weekend brought together officials from several Arctic and non-Arctic countries and representatives from Arctic Indigenous peoples. It focused on using international scientific cooperation to act on urgent challenges facing the Arctic.
The theme of the biennial meeting co-hosted by Iceland and Japan was Knowledge for a Sustainable Arctic.
The Canadian delegation led by Minister of Northern Affairs Daniel Vandal participated virtually. Jennifer C. Hubbard, president and CEO of Polar Knowledge Canada, Mona Nemer, the federal government’s chief science advisor, and Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), also took part in the meeting
From: Polar Knowledge Canada
Today, we are announcing that a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in support of the United Kingdom-Canada Inuit Nunangat and Arctic Region Research Programme was signed by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, United Kingdom Research and Innovation, POLAR Knowledge Canada, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Parks Canada Agency, and Fonds de recherche du Québec.
With rapid changes to the Arctic climate, there is a pressing need to understand and respond to the resulting environmental, social and economic impacts. The MOU focuses on working in partnership on the development and administration of the new research programme, which aligns with National Inuit Strategy on Research objectives and actions. Broadly, research funded under this programme will focus on changing Arctic ecosystems and the impacts to Inuit communities and beyond, and will explore innovative and practical mitigation and adaptation mechanisms and technologies to enhance resilience to