Organization, governance and sponsors

The Arctic Biodiversity Congress is being hosted and arranged by the the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) working group of the Arctic Council in close co-operation with the Norwegian Environment Agency and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Organization committee

The Organization Committee consists of:

  • Risa Smith, Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Finn Kateras, Norwegian Environmenta Agency
  • Tom Barry, Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna International Secretariat
  • Courtney Price, Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna International Secretariat

The CAFF Management Board will be consulted in decisions involving the overall direction of the Congress, and will be instrumental in follow-up on possible findings and recommendations from the Congress. They will report to the Senior Arctic Officials on progress in development and outcomes of the Congress. 

Program Advisory Committee

The Program Advisory Committee includes a mix of qualified individuals who can contribute on key topics in Arctic biodiversity. The Program Avisory Committee will provide advice on key dimensions of program development including the inclusion and selection of scientific and policy relevant program content, indigenous peoples' perspectives, and linkages to other CAFF and other Arctic Council efforts. The final composition of the Program Advisory Committee is intended to reflect a balance in dimensions such as gender and geographical coverage (country as well as specific ecosystem insights). Stakeholders will be included in developing the Congress, and representatives from industry will participate in the organization of the business segment of the Congress.

The Program Advisory Committee currently consists of:

  • Hans Meltofte, Aarhus University
  • Rolf Anker Ims, University of Tromsø
  • Evgeny Syroechkovskiy, All-Russian Institute for Nature Conservation
  • Mike Gill, Environment Canada
  • Mark Marissink, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency
  • Tom Christensen, Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program, Aarhus University
  • John Payne, Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program, North Slope Science Initiative
  • Carolina Behe, Inuit Circumpolar Council
  • Pitseolalaq Moss-Davies, Inuit Circumpolar Council
  • Alexander Shestakov, WWF Global Arctic Programme
  • Martin Sommerkorn, WWF Global Arctic Programme
  • Martha McConnell, IUCN Polar Program
  • Gerlis Fugmann, Association of Polar Early Career Scientists
  • Risa Smith, Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Chair, Environment Canada
  • Finn Katerås, Norwegian Environment Agency 
  • Tom Barry, Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna

Business Advisory Group

Representatives from industry provided advice and input into relevant areas of the Congress program:

  • Anne Jahr, Aloca Foundation
  • Tricia Napor, Alcoa Foundation
  • Paola Pedroni, Biodiversity and Ecosytem Services Working Group, the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA)
  • Ruth Romer, Biodiversity and Water, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA)
  • Robert Blaauw, International Association of Oil and Gas Producers, Shell International
  • Gary Isaksen, International Association of Oil and Gas Producers, ExxonMobil

Congress Secretariat

  • Risa Smith, CAFF Chair, Congress Co-Chair, Environment Canada
  • Finn Katerås, Congress Co-Chair, Norwegian Environment Agency
  • Tom Barry, CAFF International Secretariat
  • Marthe Haugan, Norwegian Environment Agency
  • Courtney Price, CAFF International Secretariat
  • Kristin Sundal, Norwegian Environment Agency
  • Eva Björg Ægisdóttir, Norwegian Environment Agency
  • Kári Fannar Lárusson, CAFF International Secretariat
  • Olga Pálsdóttir, CAFF International Secretariat
  • Hólmgrímur Helgason, CAFF International Secretariat

 Congress Sponsors

The Arctic Biodiversity Congress is made possible by the support and assistance provided by congress sponsors. The primary sponsors of the Arctic Biodiversity Congress are the Ministry of the Environment Finland and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Arctic Biodiversity Congress will promote the conservation and sustainable use of Arctic biodiversity through dialogue among scientists, indigenous peoples, policy-makers, government officials, industry and civil society. It is of relevance to all who wish to make specific and significant contributions to the conservation of Arctic biodiversity.General funding for the congress is in place; however additional funding would give room for an improved program, enhanced participation and strengthened communication and outreach. We are therefore approaching industry and other stakeholders to sponsor specific activities. How can organizations contribute?Contributions are being sought for specific items and events under the following headings:If you or your organization are considering sponsorhip of the Arctic Biodiversity Congress, please contact Tom Barry: , (+354) 462-3350 to discuss possibilities.

Sponsorship package

Program support

Sponsors will be able to select their support to contribute to the following activities: keynote speaker attendance, facilitation for round table discussions, and side meetings organization and hosting, delegate attendance, facilitation for round table discussions, and conference information bag/package.

Travel support for delegate attendance

Sponsors will be able to select their support to contribute to travel and participation for the following groups: young scientists, indigenous peoples groups, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders.

Social events

Sponsors will be able to select their support to contribute to the following activities: cultural events and showcase, coffee breaks, and dinner/reception on December 3.

Technology and communication

Sponsors will be able to select their support to contribute to the following: simultaneous translation between English and Russian, website, Congress App, messaging system, and reporting to a wider global audience.

Outreach and public awareness

Sponsors will be able to select their support to contribute to the Through the Lens: Arctic biodiversity photo competition e.g. exhibition and display of winning images. Total sponsorship contributions of the above items will accumulate to be awarded the following categories of sponsors

  • Platinum: US $51,000-100,000
  • Gold: US $26,000-50,000
  • Silver: US $11,000-25,000
  • Bronze: US $5,000-10,000

 Download sponsorhsip package here

Why sponsor the Arctic Biodiversity Congress?

Before the Congress

Early confirmation of your interest and support for the Congress will ensure a high level of exposure. An extensive promotional campaign including advertisements, direct mail campaigns, email updates and social media exposure is being implemented, and the opportunity exists for your company to be represented as a bronze to platinum sponsor of the Congress in advance of the actual event. Where appropriate, sponsor logos will be used in communications materials including positioning on the Congress website.

During the Congress

The event will bring together key stakeholders across many disciplines and sectors to discuss key issues facing Arctic biodiversity. Sponsorship opportunities promote exposure of organizations amongst targeted scientific, policy and Indigenous attendants and an opportunity to exhibit information during the Congress. Various sponsored events and items will be clearly labelled with logos and recognition of sponsors. Sponsor representatives also have the opportunity while attending the Congress to network and engage with key individuals and organizations active in issues of Arctic biodiversity, conservation, governance and management.

After the Congress

Sponsors will have built recognition amongst Congress attendants and will continue to receive information from CAFF on both the Congress outcomes and future CAFF activities and projects. Sponsorship of the Congress will allow companies to engage in the work of CAFF, including discussions on biodiversity guidelines, biodiversity targets, goals, indicators and monitoring. The Congress is part of the implementation of the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment, and will be influential in shaping the future of sustainable use and conservation of Arctic biodiversity.