The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) decided at a meeting in Fairbanks, Alaska, Monday night to move its offices to Akureyri from Potsdam, Germany on January 1, 2017.
At the suggestion of Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, the government of Iceland decided in mid-February to finance the operation of the office for the next five years, according to a press release from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
IASC’s aim is to support cooperation in all aspects of Arctic research and provide advice to governments on Arctic-related issues. The Committee brings together public research institutions and organizations from 23 countries and has earned a reputation as one of the most important forums for international cooperation on research and monitoring in the Arctic.
Akureyri is already home to several institutions which specialize in issues related to the Arctic.
