August 10, 2021
ASM3 participants(Credit:ASM3 Organizing Committee)
Left: HAGIUDA Koichi, Minister of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology (Japan).
Right: Lilja Alfreðsdóttir, Minister of Education, Science and Culture (Iceland)
(Credit:ASM3 Organizing Committee)
The 3rd Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3) was co-hosted by Japan and Iceland and took place in Tokyo on 8 and 9 May 2021 for the first time in Asia. The meeting was co-chaired by Koichi Hagiuda, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan), and Lilja Alfreðsdóttir, Minister of Education, Science and Culture (Iceland).
“Knowledge for a Sustainable Arctic” was the overarching theme for ASM3 and included four sub-themes under the titles: Observe, Understand, Respond, Strengthen. The ASM3 organizers and Science Advisory Board conducted a robust and inclusive science process to provide a strong foundation for all the final outcomes of the ASM3. These outcomes create useful tools for cooperation, deepen the understanding of both the achievements and challenges that lay ahead, and provide a strong framework for taking urgent action.
The ASM3 Science process followed the structure of the previous Ministerials by soliciting theme-based project updates and new projects from participating countries, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, and international organizations engaged in Arctic science and education, while also attempting to create a more formal consultation process with the wider research community through other international fora and through the ASM3 Webinar Series.
From Japan, National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) mainly made the following efforts.