As we experience record-breaking heatwaves and face forecasts of increasingly severe cold waves in coming winters, it is widely acknowledged that these extreme weather phenomena are intrinsically linked to changes in the Arctic. Transformations in the Arctic, including rapid glacial retreat, are reshaping the global climate system, significantly affecting Korea and the world. Thus, addressing the climate crisis we face necessitates a concerted international response to the environmental changes unfolding in the Arctic, grounded in cooperation and solidarity.

As a responsible member of the international community, Korea has consistently fulfilled its role in shaping a sustainable future for the Arctic. Through initiatives such as the Arctic Dasan Research Station and the icebreaking research vessel Araon, Korea has emerged as a major player in international Arctic research. A notable example of our research impact is the groundbreaking discovery that Arctic sea ice variations are a principal driver of East Asia’s cold waves and heavy snowfall. Furthermore, as an observer of the Arctic Council and a signatory to the Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean (CAOFA), Korea has continually deepened its partnerships with Arctic and non-Arctic nations alike.

Today, we endeavor to establish innovative forms of collaboration for the Arctic’s future. While building on our strong foundation in policy and research, we seek to expand into human-centered cooperation. The 2024 Arctic Partnership Week, held under the theme “The Arctic and People,” will lay the groundwork for this vision. It aims to provide a platform where those influencing the Arctic and those living amid its transformations can connect, empathize, and explore innovative ways to work together.

As we commemorate the 9th Arctic Partnership Week this year, we aspire to foster collective wisdom that promotes shared prosperity amidst the Arctic’s evolving landscape. We warmly invite you to contribute your voice and expertise to this meaningful journey.