Arctic sea ice coverage appears headed for a record-low winter maximum this year, and the annual melt appears to be off to a very early start, according to information from the National Snow and Ice Data Centre.

The purpose of the conference is to provide a forum for policy-makers and academics to deliberate on how the security, resilience and sustainability of the globalized Arctic region and its peoples may be enhanced, and what instruments of governance may most suitably contribute.

In the context of its 25th anniversary in 2015, IASC presents a comprehensive publication on its history from the planning process in the late 1980s until today. Printed as a special issue of the IASC yearbook, the publication compiles and analyzes the history and development of IASC and its initiatives and achievements. A short film, a collection of historical documents and a brochure presenting a timeline of the most important events in the development of IASC in the last quarter of a century complement the publication.

The House of Lords Select Committee on the Arctic has published its report 'Responding to a changing Arctic'. Momentous and unprecedented change is underway in the Arctic, with temperatures there rising twice as fast as the world average. This will have a massive impact on the region’s environment, ecosystems and people and presents both huge challenges and opportunities.