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ARCTIC PRESENTATIONS on www.imarest.org/news/climatechange.asp

Event: Arctic Workshop and Film Evening
Date: 31 October 2006
Time: 0900 until 1700 (workshop) 1700 to 1930 film evening
Venue: City Conference Centre, 80 Coleman Street, London

The resource rich and strategically important area of the planet, the Arctic, will come under the spotlight with senior members of a range of sectors, including insurance, oil and gas, shipping, ports, defence, fisheries, tourism, environment and policy meeting in London to look to the future of the region.

The one-day workshop, being held on 31 October at the City Conference Centre (the headquarters of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology - IMarEST) will see over a hundred key decision makers debating the sectoral priorities for data, information and knowledge to support improved understanding, management and regulation of the area north of 66° 33'N¹.

The Arctic workshop is organised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST); the Inter-Agency Committee for Marine Science and Technology (IACMST); and the Marine Information Alliance (MIA). The event is sponsored by the National Centre for Ocean Forecasting (NCOF), the Met Office, BP and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS).

"The Arctic Workshop organised by IMarEST is a very timely venue drawing a broad spectrum of interests to what will be a key discussion about the future information needs of a changing Arctic," explains Dr Lawson Brigham of the Arctic Shipping Assessment. "Addressing such emerging issues as offshore oil and gas development, increased shipping activities and an increase in tourism, the workshop can provide a highly useful 'snapshot' of current Arctic activity to decision-makers, planners and regulators."

Who should attend

"This is an event worthy of attendance by key decision makers," says conference chairman, Dr Ralph Rayner. "We need input from the top echelon of each sector - it is vital that as a result of the workshop, and as we near the start of the International Polar Year in 2007, we make sound recommendations to help support decisions about the future of this unique area of our planet. By attending and taking an active part in discussions, attendees will be able to embrace a fuller understanding and appreciation of the information and resources available to assist in sustainable development of the Arctic".

Registrants so far include representatives from BP, ABS, Fugro Geos, Rolls Royce, BAS, MOD and Lloyds amongst many others.

• Science scene setting, Professor Ola Johanassen, Founding Director of the Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center
• Policy scene setting, Professor Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency
• Review of industry opportunities and challenges, Graham Thomas, Director of Arctic and Cold Regions Technology, BP Exploration
• Defence operations past, present and future, Commander Phil Titterton OBE RN, currently serving with the Ministry of Defence
• Outlook for shipping, Dr Lawson Brigham, Chair, Arctic Council's Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (2005-2008)

Sector workshop sessions will then consider information needs and priorities and a summary discussion will bring together the findings to identify common themes.

The workshop will be followed by a reception and Arctic film evening featuring some spectacular short films about the region.

FURTHER INFORMATION FORM

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST IN ATTENDING..

Dr. Bev Mackenzie
Manager Marine Science
IMarEST
80 Coleman Street
London
EC2R 5BJ
UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 2628
Fax: +44 (0)20 7382 2668
Email: bev.mackenzie@imarest.org

PRESS ENQUIRIES

Suki Kalsi
Head of Corporate Marketing and PR
IMarEST
80 Coleman Street
London
EC2R 5BJ
UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 2689
Email: suki.kalsi@imarest.org