The conference “The Peoples’ Arctic: Unified for a Better Tomorrow” in Kiruna, Sweden, where Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic will discuss their rights in a changing Arctic, plans for oil drilling, and the mining boom in the region. Participants at the conference include Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic, recognized experts in Arctic issues and Kumi Naidoo, executive director of Greenpeace International.
The Arctic, and the Indigenous Peoples who live there, face great challenges. Climate change has resulted in 80 percent of the sea ice disappearing in 30 years. Formerly untouched areas have opened up and a major rush to exploit Arctic oil has begun. At the same time, a mining boom is underway in the region. Indigenous Peoples from the U.S., Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Greenland meet to discuss these issues. The conference aims to create an open and valuable discussion between key stakeholders.