13 March 2009: The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) held an international experts meeting on “Climate Change and Arctic Sustainable Development: scientific, social, cultural and educational challenges,” which convened from 3-6 March 2009, in Monaco. The meeting brought together experts in the social and natural sciences, ethics, education and international affairs who sought the local expertise of indigenous peoples in drafting a set of 66 recommendations for follow-up action.

Participants noted that the rapidly changing climate in the Arctic is putting pressure on hundreds of thousands of indigenous people, while science, development and conservation efforts are often driven by interests outside the Arctic. To confront climate change in the region, participants stressed the need to: coordinate interdisciplinary and international efforts; draw on the knowledge of indigenous people; and acknowledge the value of maintaining their traditional cultures. [UNESCO Press Release]