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Arctic Yearbook 2015
also pinpoints major challenges that lie ahead of Arctic science and our understanding of changes
occurring in the region which transformation spurs global interest and unprecedented attention.
Arctic Science Summit Week 2011 held in Seoul, Korea, March/April 2011.
Into the Future
Nothing better confirms the organization’ focal position in promotion and facilitation of international
research on the Arctic than the incoming applications for IASC member status. Since the time of its
foundation in 1990 the IASC membership has been constantly growing and today includes twentythree countries conducting research in the Arctic. Throughout the time IASC has become a market
place (Rogne et al. 2015) or a “forum where an idea first germinated before being brought to fruition
through extensive international collaboration in other organizations (particularly those controlling
infrastructure and other resources)” (Stone 2015). The organization played also an important role in
moving Arctic science onto the cutting edge of science at large and deepening our comprehension of
the dynamics of the coupled socio-ecological systems (Rogne et al. 2015). Yet today, changes in the
Arctic are still challenging our understanding of their consequences both on the regional as well as on
global scale, and the scientific community’s ability to provide relevant and timely knowledge for
decision-makers (Toyama Conference Statement). Addressing those challenges requires sustained
scientific observations and combining them with insights from local and traditional ecological
knowledge - both efforts strongly encouraged and supported by IASC. And while the Arctic moves
from the periphery of international relations closer to the center of the world’s political and economic
interests, science still remains the key to sustainable development and future of the region. As the long
historical tradition of polar research shows, greatest achievements down this road come through
international collaboration and cooperation where over the last twenty-five years the role of IASC has
been indisputable.
25 Years of IASC