EPCO and the EU Polar Cluster at the EU Arctic Forum

On September 1-3, the European Polar Coordination Office (EPCO) was at the EU Arctic Forum, Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue and Arctic Youth Dialogue. The event, organised by the European Commission in association with the European External Action Service, and was held in Brussels, Belgium. The forum brought together a broad range of right- and stakeholders to discuss recent developments in the Arctic and the challenges ahead. European Commissioners for Fisheries and Ocean and for International Partnerships Costas Kadis and Jozef Sikela opened the forum.

On September 2, the EPB Executive Secretary and Head of EPCO, Maria Grigoratou, was a part of a panel on "Climate-induced insecurities in Arctic Indigenous communities" faciliated by Gunn-Britt Retter, Head of Arctic and Environment Unit, Saami Council. In the discussion, Maria highlighted the important role of coordination in enhancing research outcomes for society.

"We need science for policy, but we also need science and evidence-based policy. And the two are not the same. If we only fund research for its immediate policy application, we risk becoming very good at answering yesterday's questions. That is why we need long-term observations and sustained support for fundamental research; because we cannot know in advance which discoveries will become essential for society tomorrow.

[...] this is where I see the European Polar Coordination Office, EPCO, playing an important role. The point of coordination is not simply to bring people together. It is to make science better, more connected and more capable of answering questions that no single country or institution can answer alone." Read the full intervention here.

Joanna Drake, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission, highlighted during a panel on "Arctic Research and Science in focus: The EU perspective" that "R&I should be treated as a cross-cutting enabler, as research underpins every other part of Arctic policy, from security to biodiversity to Indigenous rights. [...] the Ocean and Water Research and Innovation Strategy, will set thematic priorities for polar R&I and look at streamlined coordination - potentially through the European Polar Board and the European Polar Coordination Office."

EPCO also had a booth where it displayed information and outcomes of many of the EU Polar Cluster projects and partners, including EPB's Contribution to the EC Call for Evidence on the EU Arctic Policy Update.

Kylie Owen (EPB/EPCO) at the European Polar Coordination Office booth displaying information on EU Polar Cluster projects and partners.

EPCO, ArcSolution, ICEBERG, and ILLUQ at the side events
On September 3, EPCO also participated at the side event "The future of Arctic observations" organised by Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), and facilitated by Wiebke Pankauke, Head of Unit, RTD. As a panelist Maria emphasised the need to "move from project-based observation to permanent infrastructure while ensuring continuity, strengthening coordination, and connecting existing capabilities.

[...] EPCO can help connect European expertise, research priorities and observing activities, and strengthen Europe's contribution to international observing systems. This is not coordination for coordination’s shake. Having a coordination body that brings the EU funded projects together implemented and when needed guided by the European Polar Board to ensure that Europe’s research is addressing key research and observation needs is a mechanism that no other funder has at this scale." Read the full intervention here.

Three EU Polar Cluster projects (ArcSolution, ICEBERG and ILLUQ) organised a side event "Health and climate change", facilitated by Rolf Rødven from AMAP at the Arctic Council.

The discussions throughout the Forum highlighted the importance of continued collaboration and coordination across disciplines, communities and generations to ensure that Arctic research and innovation can effectively support resilient Arctic societies and environments.

Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission, presenting the Keynote on Arctic research and science

Costas Kadis, EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, European Commission concluding Day 2.