25 February 2009: The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is organizing an international experts meeting on “Climate Change and Arctic Sustainable Development: scientific, social, cultural and educational challenges.” The meeting will convene from 3-6 March 2009, in Monaco.

The event will bring together 45 natural scientists, social and human scientists, environmental ethicists, education development specialists, NGOs and representatives of circumpolar indigenous peoples, and will feature interdisciplinary plenary sessions and working groups to deliberate on the diverse aspects of climate-induced environmental changes in the Arctic. The meeting aims to: assess the changes anticipated across the circumpolar North and investigate ways to monitor them; and explore the scientific, social, cultural and educational challenges to be met to ensure the region’s sustainable development. The event is part of UNESCO’s efforts to fulfill the objective of its Strategy for Action on Climate Change, namely to “build and maintain a requisite knowledge base; help adaptation to the impacts of climate change; strengthen sustainable development.” An Intersectoral Platform was created in January 2008 to coordinate UNESCO activities in this domain. [UNESCO press release]