*The International Symposium on Plastics in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic Region (originally scheduled to be held 28-30 September) has been rescheduled to take place online on 2-4 March and 8-9 March 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
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.
Main Themes:
- Sources and transport of plastics in the Arctic and sub-Arctic: Shipping, tourism, fishing, and terrestrial sources
- Arctic challenges in waste management strategies
- Methodology for studies on macro-, micro- and nano-plastics
- Monitoring of the Arctic: Setting a baseline for Arctic plastics
- Impact of plastic pollution in the Arctic. Ecotoxicology, toxicology, and socioeconomics
- NordMar Plastic project on international standardization: NordMar Plastic is one of the projects run by the Icelandic chairmanship program in the Nordic Council of Ministers
- Solving the plastic challenge: Best mitigation practices from around the world (ocean-based and land-based)
- Developing a regional action plan for the Arctic. Better strategies in monitoring for the future. Taking
coordinated actions and developing joint initiatives for different industries