In 2013, the Arctic Council underwent its most significant change since its foundation in 1996, with its formalization through the creation of a secretariat, the confirmation of eight observers, and acceptance of other five states, including China, with the same status. This study explores geopolitical and economic interests of actors of regional environmental governance that impact both applications and their acceptance as observer states.

From February to March 2022, Arctic Initiative Senior Fellow Fran Ulmer and Research Fellow Nadezhda Filimonova, alongside leaders of international Arctic research organizations and Arctic Indigenous peoples’ organizations, contributed to a three-part webinar series on international scientific cooperation in the Arctic. Insights from the webinar series were distilled into a Science Diplomacy Action report entitled "Enhancing International Scientific Cooperation: Arctic Science and Technology Advice with Ministries," which was published by the Science Diplomacy Center.

In late March, 19 students from Harvard and the greater Boston area boarded a bus to Woodwell Climate Research Center in Falmouth, Massachusetts, for the final session of the second annual Arctic Data Stories Workshop. 

In November 2021, the Arctic Initiative hosted Arctic Climate Week, a public showcase of the crucial work being done by Belfer Center faculty and fellows on the rapidly warming Arctic and pathways to a resilient future for the region.

Arctic Data Stories will give students with non-technical backgrounds the chance to explore geospatial data and policy, guided by experts from the Arctic Initiative, the Woodwell Climate Research Center, and Esri. The workshop covers topics in data visualization, policy, and ArcGIS software and culminates with student presentations on Arctic-specific policy challenges. Sessions will be held on Fridays from 12–2 p.m. from February 11 to March 11, 2022, on Zoom. We will host a final workshop at the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Falmouth, MA on March 26 and 27. Participants must commit to attending all sessions when applying. Students wishing to participate should fill out the form HERE.