Update: As a growing number of States and organizations worldwide are voluntarily issuing bans on non-essential travel and gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic the organizing committee for the International Symposium on Plastics in the Arctic and the Sub-Arctic Region has decided to reschedule the event for the Fall 2020. The priority of the organizers and that of the government of Iceland is to ensure safety for all concerned.
The Government of Iceland in collaboration with the Nordic Council of Ministers is hosting an International Symposium on Plastics in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic Region in April 2020 in connection with the Icelandic Chairmanship of the Arctic Council.
Iceland holds the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council from May 2019 to May 2021 and intends during this period to promote discussion on ways and means that may reduce the impact of plastics in the Arctic Marine Environment.
Iceland holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2019. The Icelandic Presidency prioritizes the ocean with a focus on the fight against plastic in the marine environment, one of our times biggest challenges. The Presidency project NordMar Plastic runs for three years, up until 2021 and is in joint partnership of all eight Nordic countries.
The International Symposium will focus on scientific knowledge of the problem and the best practices to deal with the huge challenge. In this way the symposium is expected to build a foundation of science and deliver information and advice for decision makers.
The symposium is furthermore expected to contribute to the Arctic Council's work on plastic litter during the Icelandic Chairmanship.
Key Dates:
- 1 June 2019: Registration opens
- 1 July 2019: Open for abstracts
- 1 November 2019: Early bird registration ends
- 1 December 2019: Abstract submission deadline