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decline in diamond prices because of lower growth in Chinese jewelry demand is dulling the appeal of Canada's Arctic diamond industry, with the resulting drop in exploration hurting the region's long-term prospects. Exploration spending in Canada's diamond-rich Northwest Territories, the world's third-biggest producer, is forecast to drop 54 per cent this year, according to a Canadian government estimate earlier this year. That is bad news for an industry where even profitable deposits can take 10 to 20 years to develop into a mine.
Mr. Craig Fleener, who currently serves as a Senior Advisor on Arctic Policy at the state of Alaska Office of the Governor, has registered to take part in the General Assembly of the Northern Forum. For several last years, the state of Alaska has not taken part in the Northern Forum events; yet for the 12th General Assembly, 10 participants of the state have confirmed their plans to come and take part.
In a few short years the Arctic Circle assembly, held annually in Iceland’s capital has grown to become the largest Arctic related gathering, and is now attended by more than 1500 participants from close to 50 countries. The Assembly is held every October at the Harpa Conference Center and Conference Hall in Reykjavík, Iceland and has just wrapped up. In addition, the Arctic Circle organizes smaller forums on specific subjects, such as the 2015 forums in Alaska and Singapore, and the 2016 forums in Québec and Greenland. This year was no exception and even featured a keynote by President Hollande of France who noted the critical importance of action on climate change in advance of COP 21 in Paris, next month. Watch videos of the keynote presentations here and see photos here.
Anchorage, Alaska October 20, 2015.
Acting Executive Director of the Northern Forum Secretariat Pogodaev Michael attends a meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Arctic Council, which these days takes place in Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
The Northern Forum held a Second workshop on Natural Protected Areas. This workshop is a continuation of the first meeting of such class in Yakutsk that was held in fall 2012. The Second workshop was organized by Leningrad oblast Natural Resources Committee.
As the 12th General Assembly of the Northern Forum is getting closer, there is a steady flow of participants' registrations. This year's event is attracting more participants of different regions - for example, this year the event will be attended by the State of Alaska representatives, Mayor of Akureyri City, representatives from Russian Federal authorities and representatives of Arctic businesses and business administrations. This is a very short insight on two of the participants, registered at the moment.
Magadan Oblast of Russia has recently stated its decision to resume its full membership with the Northern Forum. This was announced by the Governor Vladimir Pecheniy’s letter.
Magadan oblast has been one of the original members of the Northern Forum since its day one, where it was among founding regions. In spite of objective reasons, Magadan had to withdraw its membership in the latter years – until now.
Acting Executive Director of the Northern Forum Mikhail Pogodaev has taken part in 5th International meeting of the Arctic Council members representatives, observers and foreign scientific circles in Arkhangelsk. The meeting is chaired by Russian Security Council Secretary General Nikolai Patrushev. Sakha Republic delegation to this meeting also includes Deputy Prime Minister Pyotr Alekseev, Chair of state Arctic committee Alexei Kiselyov and an advisor for Head of Sakha Republic Eduard Klimov.
The Northern Forum Infectious Diseases working group opens an international Symposium on New Priorities in Tuberculosis Control in Circumpolar Regions of the Arctic. The event is happening in Yakutsk right now.
Conservative leader Stephen Harper brought his election campaign north on Friday with a promise to finance a $14-million road improvement project on Highway 5 in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Across the Bering Strait, Robert Soolook can easily see the looming hulk of the neighboring Russian island where some of his relatives used to live before they were forced to relocate to the Soviet mainland at the start of the Cold War.