State Secretary Martina Hirayama emphasizes the importance of research at the 3rd Arctic Science Ministerial

State Secretary Martina Hirayama virtually attended the third Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3) on May 8-9, 2021. At ASM3, science ministers and representatives of Arctic indigenous peoples' organizations came together to strengthen international cooperation in science and research to advance understanding of the Arctic region, and to support the role of science in policy and decision-making in the Arctic. In her speech, State Secretary Hirayama emphasized the importance of research in response to the challenges of climate change in the vulnerable Polar regions and the urgent need for international cooperation in this area. The Joint Statement signed by all Parties at ASM3 outlines cooperative actions to support science collaboration in the future such as the implementation of observing networks, data-sharing, enhancing understanding for Arctic environmental and social systems and preparing the next generation through capacity building. In her statement, State Secretary Hirayama underlined the necessity to understand the vulnerable and complex Polar and Alpine regions in the urgent context of global warming. She also took the opportunity to commemorate Prof. Konrad Steffen, a Swiss pioneer and visionary on climate change and polar science, who died tragically in an accident while conducting fieldwork at the "Swiss Camp" research station on the Greenland Ice Sheet in August 2020. The Arctic Science Ministerial strives to enable open and transparent discussions on the international level about the necessary measures for coordinated and inclusive Arctic observation and research.