From September 12 to 16, St. Petersburg State University hosts the first ever UArctic Congress, the University of the Arctic’s largest meeting to date – with over five hundred participants. The UArctic Congress 2016 includes a science section with over 250 oral and poster presentations and world-renowned keynote speakers from across the circumpolar world. In addition, UArctic’s various governance and organizational bodies will convene together to expand cooperation in higher education and science in northern regions.

“I am confident that the UArctic congress will prove an
effective venue for scientists of the whole world and will give a new impetus to the
studies of a region of huge global importance,” said Nikolai Kropachev, Rector of
St. Petersburg State University. “The Arctic can be studied and developed only under
the conditions of international cooperation, that being the specific character of
this region. Our first UArctic Congress is a significant step made by the
international consortium in the exploitation and development of this region of the
world.”

The five-day congress concludes with a scientific
conference covering major circumpolar themes: vulnerability of Arctic environments,
vulnerability of Arctic societies, local and traditional knowledge, building
long-term human capacity, and new markets for the Arctic, including trade, tourism
and transportation. Prominent speakers include Professor Jörn Thiede of St.
Petersburg State University, Susan Barr, President of the International Arctic
Science Committee, and Aleksi Härkönen, Finland’s Ambassador for Arctic
Affairs.

University leaders from across UArctic’s
membership will convene in the 10th UArctic Rectors’ Forum, where they address
strategic challenges facing universities in the region. The UArctic Congress also
includes a Student Forum, bringing together student representatives from many of
UArctic’s higher education institutions to address common issues, and present their
views to the network’s leadership. The Congress will conclude with a joint
Declaration, reflecting the views of UArctic’s members and leadership, as well
highlighting the major issues facing Arctic science.

The
choice of St. Petersburg State University for the congress venue is symbolic,
according to UArctic President Lars Kullerud: “For this unique event, the
choice of St Petersburg is a fitting location – an important and historic meeting
point between East and West. Further, as a long-standing UArctic member, St.
Petersburg State University is a high quality education and research institution,
whose scientific discoveries and achievements of professors and alumni include eight
Nobel Prize winners.”

For more information about the
UArctic Congress 2016, visit www.uarctic.org/congress2016
or follow #uarcticcongress2016 on social media.

The
University of the Arctic (UArctic) is a cooperative network of universities,
colleges, research institutes and other organizations concerned with education and
research in and about the North. UArctic builds and strengthens collective resources
and collaborative infrastructure that enables member institutions to better serve
their constituents and their regions. Through cooperation in education, research and
outreach we enhance human capacity in the North, promote viable communities and
sustainable economies, and forge global partnerships.

For more information:
Outi
Snellman
UArctic International Secretariat
University of
Lapland
Box 122, 96101 Rovaniemi, Finland
+358 40 5010209

outi.snelllman(at)uarctic.org
www.uarctic.org