The Arctic Encounter Symposium hosted its fifth annual conference in Seattle last week, which focused on the future of Arctic security.

The conference featured 140 speakers from across the Arctic countries, with a strong representation from Alaska. Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott and US Senator Lisa Murkowski spoke on charting a secure path forward in the Arctic. They were joined by Congressman Rick Larsen and three international dignitaries, former Prime Minister of Greenland Aleqa Hammond, Chair of the Arctic Council Aleksi Härkönen, and Minister Plenipotentiary of Greenlan Inuuteq Holm Olsen.

One panel provided a unique perspective on the future of energy in the Arctic with speakers representing the Olgoonik Corporation, the US Department of the Interior, and the Alaska Oil and Gas Association. While Alaska is rich in oil and gas, energy costs remain high in the state and Alaska is now fifth in the nation for oil and gas production.

While conservation groups have been quick to protest the decision to open the Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for oil and gas drilling, panelists defended Alaska’s approach to mixing conservation efforts with economic development to help Alaska’s economy while protecting the way of life of Alaskans and Alaskan Natives.

During the two day event, attendees also heard presentations on some of the ongoing climate change policy and litigation in both Washington and Alaska as well as a panel on new opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship in the Arctic. Speakers on these panels included representatives from the Consulate General of Canada, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, the NANA Corporation, and the Chugach Alaska Corporation. 

Congressman Rick Larsen provided comments, calling for increased investments in the Arctic in order to benefit the entire nation.

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal also gave a keynote, arguing for increased conservation efforts in response to climate change and criticized the decision to open ANWR.

“In many ways, Washington is much like Alaska, where the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge sits. Our economy here in Washington is based largely on the land and the sea and on all that comes with that: salmon, orcas, an outdoor economy, strong maritime investment and environmental sensitively. And for us, healthy industry relies on a healthy environment. We can’t bring billions to our state through tourism if our beautiful lands disappear. We can’t feed our families and employ hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians and Alaskans is our waters are polluted and our maritime industry goes under. And we simply cannot survive without our environment. And so it is our work to make sure that we defend and restore it.”

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