The Arctic Circle Assembly: navigating the Arctic

The Arctic Circle Assembly convened for its 10th year at the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center in Reykjavík, Iceland. This Assembly marks the largest international gathering on the Arctic and was attended by more than 2000 participants from over 70 countries. This year more than 700 speakers participated, and these included heads of states and governments, ministers, members of parliaments, indigenous leaders and representatives, officials, experts, scientists, entrepreneurs, business leaders, environmentalists, students and activists from the international community of partners interested in the Arctic. The 2023 Assembly covered a multitude of topics, including geopolitical tensions affecting the Arctic, the green energy transition, exploitation of Arctic resources and future challenges in relation to protection of the Arctic environment and its peoples. It featured plenaries; academic, industry, and political sessions; as well as art shows and documentary screenings in the evenings.

Climate change, eloquently described as ‘global boiling’ rather than ‘global warming’ by the Icelandic President H.E. Katrín Jakobsdóttir during her plenary, was mentioned throughout the Assembly and was also keenly felt by all attendees, given the extreme weather event unfolding outside. The >50 knot bracing winds took its toll on attendance during the initial days of the Assembly, with many planes grounded and international travel on pause – the wind whipped seas also meant many of the boats moored outside the venue within Reykjavík’s ‘Old’ harbour remained decidedly harbour-bound. The maritime sector was also highly visible inside, playing a prominent role in Assembly discussions – with six sessions dedicated to, or heavily featuring, many different aspects of Arctic shipping. Speakers representing the coastguard, marine consultancy, shipping companies, maritime academics, and country ministers all spoke about both the current and future of shipping and maritime activities in the Arctic.