Arctic Biodiversity Congress: Co-Chairs report, December 2-4, 2014

• Main Authors: Smith, Risa, Barry, Tom, Kateras, Finn
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: International Network; Arctic; Arctic biodiversity; Arctic Council; CAFF; Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna
• Online Access: http://library.arcticportal.org/1803/; http://library.arcticportal.org/1803/1/ABC_Chair_Statement.pdf; http://www.arcticbiodiversity.is/congress

The Arctic Biodiversity Congress was the largest gathering of people in the history of the Arctic Council. It brought together 450 Arctic scientists, policy-makers, government officials, indigenous peoples, students and industry and civil society representatives to discuss the challenges facing Arctic biodiversity and the most appropriate actions for conservation and sustainable use of the Arctic’s living resources. The Congress highlighted the work of the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) working group and the Arctic Council in circumpolar biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, provided an opportunity to discuss the findings of the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment, 2013, and served as a forum for mainstreaming biodiversity - for ensuring that the 17 recommendations arising from the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment are implemented by not just governments, but by many organizations and people, and across sectors. During the Congress participants had opportunities to advise CAFF on the development of “Actions for Arctic Biodiversity: Implementation of the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment "Recommendations 2013-2021”.