A lonely Arab at the Arctic Circle Assembly

OPINION: The Arab world and the Arctic have much to offer one another.

In attending the fifth annual Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland, I was struck at how far-reaching this one conference has become. Addressing issues as wide-ranging as indigenous rights, energy, circumpolar health and tourism, the assembly went far beyond what I had expected would be a singular focus on climate change and its effects on the Arctic. To be sure, sea ice melt featured, but more as a fait accompli than a future phenomenon to be questioned. Participants and attendees acknowledged the reality and challenges posed by climate change, but were also aware of — and well into planning for — the plethora of opportunities that the Arctic offers.