The Arctic Encounter Symposium (AES) is the largest annual Arctic policy and business event in the United States. AES aims to confront the shared interests and concerns of the United States and the global community as we look north to the last emerging frontier - the Arctic. Policymakers, diplomats, indigenous leaders, industry innovators, diverse stakeholders, national security officials, and leading experts from the science, technology, maritime, research, startup, investment, health, and energy sectors come together at AES to challenge the status quo dialogue, critically address challenges, and collaborate on solutions. AES also features major cultural productions, including live performances, the Far North Fashion Show, northern and traditional artist vendors, and more.

The Arctic Encounter is a 501(c)3 NGO based in Alaska.



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The Arctic Encounter Symposium (AES) is a nonprofit NGO based in Anchorage, Alaska, that convenes experts from across the United States and worldwide to confront the leading issues in Arctic policy, innovation, geopolitics, and more, each year. More than 1,000 stakeholders, domestic and international, gather each year to address the most pressing challenges and innovative ideas in the Arctic region. Participants and speakers represent leadership all Arctic states. The 2023 flagship convening in Alaska included participants from 25 nations.

As the largest annual Arctic policy convening in North America, the mission of AES is to raise awareness, engage challenges, and develop solutions for the future of the Far North. The three-day flagship program includes keynote luncheons, expert plenary sessions, break-out session panels, reports, exhibitors, three-course seated dinner, artistic and musical performances, the Far North Fashion Show, and cocktail receptions. Each year, over 200 speakers address a wide range of topics, including infrastructure and connectivity in the Arctic, the health of Arctic peoples, national security, geopolitics, climate research, development, investment, and innovation in the Arctic.


FLAGSHIP ARCTIC ENCOUNTER EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES


ARCTIC ENCOUNTER LONDON

JANUARY 17-18, 2019 | LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

HOSTED AT THE PALACE OF WESTMINSTER (UK PARLIAMENT), THE NAVAL & MILITARY CLUB, AND THE REFORM CLUB

PROUDLY PRODUCED BY THE ARCTIC ENCOUNTER & THE POLAR RESEARCH AND POLICY INITIATIVE (PRPI)

Over fifty speakers representing twenty countries, including all eight Arctic states, convened in the UK at the first Arctic Encounter London to discuss and debate challenges and opportunities in Arctic shipping, maritime and domain awareness, security, and aerospace. Arctic Encounter London was honored to host 11 members of the UK Parliament, the former President of Iceland, the former Premier of Greenland, and more.

One of three venues of the 2019 Arctic Encounter London — The Palace of Westminster

One of three venues of the 2019 Arctic Encounter London — The Palace of Westminster


 

FRIENDS OF THE FAR NORTH: ALASKA X GREENLAND

an annual co-hosted event in iceland

CO-HOSTED BY THE ARCTIC ENCOUNTER, THE GOVERNMENT OF GREENLAND, AND THE WILSON CENTER DURING THE ARCTIC CIRCLE ASSEMBLY

The Arctic Encounter and strategic partners are honored to partner and co-host events for Alaskans and Greenlanders during the Arctic Circle Assembly in October. The Arctic Encounter and the Offices of Greenland Representation in Washington, DC, and Reykjavík aimed to celebrate and support Alaska and Greenland's shared interests and experiences and develop new relationships, partnerships, and friendships for the future. The Wilson Center’s Polar Initiative, a think tank in Washington, DC, has been an instrumental strategic partner and co-host in this effort.

The 2018 Friends of the Far North: Alaska X Greenland was the first Friends of the Far North event series hosted by the Arctic Encounter in Iceland, alongside the Government of Greenland and the Wilson Center. The mission of the Arctic Encounter is to convene leaders, experts, and stakeholders from every arena to tackle the shared interests and concerns of the United States and the global community as we look north to the Arctic.


ARCTIC ENCOUNTER PARIS

PARIS, FRANCE | DECEMBER 10-12, 2015 | CO-HOSTED DURING THE UNITED NATIONS COP-21 CLIMATE NEGOTIATIONS

The Arctic Encounter hosted its first international event - Arctic Encounter Paris - at the French Military College (École Militaire), the French Military Library and Campus Eiffel in Paris, France, on December 10-11-12, 2015.

The Arctic Encounter Paris (AEP) took place on the final days of the monumental United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP 21) where over 50,000 participants and 25,000 government delegates gathered to deliberate the world’s response to our changing planet in Paris.

The lead venue of the 2015 Arctic Encounter Paris - l'Ecole Militaire

The lead venue of the 2015 Arctic Encounter Paris - l'Ecole Militaire

The AEP was the only Arctic policy and economics planned to take place during the UN Convention COP21.

On Thursday, December 10, at the French Military Library (Centre de Documentation de l'Ecole Militaire), the AEP held a 2-hour debate, with three French Arctic and Antarctic explorers and students of the French War School (Ecole de Guerre) on the topic: "Is the Arctic a Global Common?". A cocktail reception and book signing session with the explorers took place following the debate.

On Friday, December 11th, at Campus Eiffel, under the patronage of Sen. Karine Claireaux (Saint-Pierre & Miquelon), the AEP hosted the first Model Arctic Council ever held outside the Arctic, with 42 students coming from 23 universities and research institutions from all eight Arctic countries, France, UK, etc.

In the evening, the AEP will held a 2-hour debate with five Arctic experts from American, Canadian, Norwegian and French think tanks, alongside Hon. Aleqa Hammond, former Premier of Greenland and current Member of the Danish Parliament for Greenland, on the topic: "Arctic Wars: Climate Change & Security in the High North."

On Saturday, December 12th, the AEP engaged policy, industry, and research leaders from Arctic and non-Arctic states during a full day of speaking panels and exciting debate at the French Military Academy (École Militaire).

The 2015 Arctic Encounter Paris was produced by Kallander & Associates LLC and the French Polar Cluster, in partnership with the French Navy Center for Strategic Studies (CESM - Centre d'Etudes Stratégiques de la Marine), the Directorate for Higher Military Education (DEMS)Campus Eiffel, the French Think Tanks Observatory, and more than 15 institutional, business and education partners.

With an attendance of 350+ participants over three days, AEP 2015 was COP21's largest Arctic forum.


- THE ARCTIC ENCOUNTER IS THRILLED TO ENGAGE IN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE FOLLOWING -

 

 
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