The Arctic Imperative: Alaska Summit Convenes Sunday to Examine Development and Policy Implications of the Arctic’s Expanding Access

GIRDWOOD, Alaska, June 16, 2011 -

- Global and Local Policy and Development Leaders Gather at Alyeska
Resort June 19-21, 2011

- Climate changes are making the
Arctic region more accessible than ever before.  Shipping
growth and new traffic are driving new development opportunities
and present unique cultural and policy implications.  For the
first time, international, domestic and local leaders meet in
Alaska to discuss the ramifications of changes in the North.

On Sunday, June 19th, an unprecedented gathering of global
government, development and investment leaders will meet at The
Arctic Imperative, the first significant forum staged in Alaska
to discuss a growing range of interconnected Arctic economic,
cultural, and environmental issues resulting from increased access
to the region.

The summit, held at Alyeska Resort, 30 minutes from Anchorage,
will feature two days of policy and investor roundtables and
research presentations focused on defining and quantifying Arctic
economic opportunities, international and local policy
considerations, the current and future investment climate, and
shipping and infrastructure security concerns.  A live-feed of
the summit will be available online at href="www.arcticimperative.com/">www.arcticimperative.com.
 

Summit convener Alice Rogoff said, “Nearly two hundred leaders
from around the world will gather to learn about the changing
Arctic from the viewpoints of Alaska. They will tackle the region’s
crosscutting topics — from Arctic shipping and navigation to
energy and resource development. They will hear from village
coastal residents directly and debate the issues with
representatives of the international investment community,
executives from the shipping and infrastructure sectors, federal
and state policymakers, and many other interested parties.” ( href="www.alaskadispatch.com/article/alaskans-must-set-vision-changing-arctic">
Alaska Dispatch, June 12).

Confirmed summit speakers include:

• David Balton, U.S. Department of State
• Admiral Thomas Barrett, USGC (ret.), President, Alyeska
  Pipeline Service Company
• Artur Chilingarov, Deputy Chairman, State Duma of the Russina
  Federation, President of Non-commercial Partnership of the
  Coordination of Northern Sea Route Usage
• The Honorable Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland
• Richard Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations
• The Honorable Edward Itta, Mayor, North Slope Borough
• Sergey Kislyak, Russian Ambassador to the United States
• Pontus Melander, Minister-Counselor, Embassy of Sweden
• U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski
• General Joseph Ralston (Ret), Former Supreme Allied Commander
  of NATO
• Rex Rock, President, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
• Kenneth Rogoff, Professor of Economics, Harvard University
• David Rubenstein, Managing Director, Carlyle Group
• Denis Stevens, Consulate General of Canada, Seattle
• The Honorable Dan Sullivan, Commissioner, Alaska Department of
  Natural Resources
• Peter Taksoe-Jensen, Danish Ambassador to the United
  States
• The Honorable Mead Treadwell, Lieutenant Governor, State of
  Alaska
• Fran Ulmer, Chair, United States Arctic Research
  Commission

Speakers will be available for in-person interviews and
follow-up discussions regarding the region’s natural resources,
investment opportunities, emerging regional infrastructure needs,
Arctic science and research, and the status of principles for
responsible development.

Immediately following the summit, attendees can participate in
an optional two-day tour of strategic facilities across the state
to see the significance of the U.S. gateway to the Arctic
first-hand.  To register for the Arctic Tour, email Megan at
href="mailto:megan@alaskadispatch.com">megan@alaskadispatch.com
to secure your seat, as space is limited.

The Arctic Imperative, concluding on the summer solstice,
is presented by The Alaska Dispatch and other sponsors.  For
more information on registration, agenda, media credentials and the
Arctic tour, please visit href="www.arcticimperative.com/">www.arcticimperative.com
and follow the conference on href="www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22266470875">Facebook
and Twitter
(@ArcticSummit).

    Contact:  Tim Fitzpatrick
              +1-907-717-4978
              fitzpidgeon@gmail.com

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