Arctic Circle Assembly to Advance Business Cooperation in the Arctic

At the invitation of Iceland’s President Grimsson and the organizers of the Arctic Circle, the WOC is organizing the session on “Business Cooperation” at the inaugural Arctic Circle Assembly (Reykjavik, 12-14 October, www.arcticcircle.org).

The session will explore the structure and process that can best support circumpolar, multi-industry cooperation. A basis for collaboration that is developed by and for the business community itself can perhaps best ensure the continuity of industry engagement with other Arctic stakeholders, such as governments and inter-governmental organizations, as changes take place over time.

At the Arctic Circle session on Business Cooperation, a panel of CEOs/senior managers from key Arctic sectors - fisheries, oil/gas, shipping, mining, submarine cable, infrastructure, and tourism - will provide their perspectives on responsible economic development in the Arctic and the means for business cooperation.

An open forum discussion will follow to engage participants in exploring the structure and process for cooperation: a) among the diverse Arctic business community and b) between this community and other Arctic stakeholders, including governments, inter-governmental bodies, such as the Arctic Council, and non-government organizations.

The session will build on the efforts to lay the groundwork for business cooperation in the Arctic, such as the WOC meeting of Arctic industry representatives to explore creating an “Arctic Business Leadership Council” (Reykjavik, 16 September, 2012; view report) and the Arctic Council “Informal Business Dialogue” jointly organized by the WOC and the Arctic Council’s Sustainable Development Working Group (Reykjavik, 17 September 2013).

About the Arctic Circle 


The Arctic Circle is designed to increase participation in Arctic dialogue and strengthen the international focus on the future of the Arctic. The Arctic Circle is nonprofit and nonpartisan. Organizations, forums, think tanks, corporations and public associations around the world are invited to hold meetings within the Arctic Circle platform to advance their own missions and the broader goal of increasing collaborative decision-making.

About the World Ocean Council (WOC)

The WOC is the only international, cross-sectoral alliance for private sector leadership and collaboration in “Corporate Ocean Responsibility”. Companies and associations worldwide are distinguishing themselves as leaders in ocean sustainability, stewardship and science by joining the WOC. Members to date include over 70 leadership organizations from a wide range of ocean industries: oil and gas, shipping, seafood, fisheries, aquaculture, mining, renewable energy, ocean technology, maritime law, marine environmental services and other areas. For the current list of WOC Members, click here.