Former Iceland president praises GCU Arctic policy mapping report

The Centre for Climate Justice has been praised by His Excellency Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, former President of Iceland, for its Arctic Policy Mapping Report.

Professor Tahseen Jafry, Director of the Centre for Climate Justice, presented the findings of the report at the Arctic Encounter Symposium in London. The event was hosted by The Arctic Encounter (USA) and the Polar Research and Policy Initiative (UK).

Professor Jafry said: "Scotland is the Arctic's closest neighbour and, as such, is positioned well to help address the Arctic region's challenges and to contribute to the benefits stemming from the 'opening up of the region'."

To protect national interests and to safeguard inhabitants, peace and stability in the region, the Scottish Government has proposed the development of The Arctic Policy. To help shape the Scottish Arctic Policy development process, The Centre for Climate Justice conducted a mapping exercise to provide a detailed overview of Scotland's existing links with the Arctic region from five perspectives: governance, socio-cultural-community, economic, environment and climate change, and academic-research, and to provide insights into the opportunities for future collaborations and partnerships.

Mr Grímsson said he was "very interested to hear about the work of the mapping report and would like to learn more about the findings".

During his presentation at the event, he highlighted how the Scottish Government could become the UK representative in the Arctic on Artic matters.

The presentation follows November's  presentation at the Artic Assembly in Iceland at which Professor Jafry shared a panel address with Fiona Hislop MSP Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, on the development of the policy.