2.8
IASC and Sustaining Arctic Observing
Networks (SAON)
by Odd Rogne and Volker Rachold
Reviewer: David Hik
vember 2006 in Potsdam, Germany. All participants
agreed on the need for improved observing and
data management and the timeliness of taking a
joint initiative. They further agreed to promote this
idea and initiative through their organizations and
networks.
In January 2007 an informal SAON Initiating Group
The goal of the Sustaining Arctic Observing Net-
(IG), consisting primarily of representatives from
works (SAON) initiative is to enhance Arctic-wide
several international Arctic organizations, came to-
observing activities by facilitating partnerships and
gether and agreed that SAON should have the pur-
synergies among existing observing and data net-
pose to support and strengthen the development
works, and promoting sharing and synthesis of data
of multinational engagement for sustained and
and information.
coordinated pan-Arctic observing and data sharing
systems that serve societal needs, particularly re-
The 2004 Framework for the International Polar
lated to environmental, social, economic and cultural
Year (IPY) called for a legacy of sustained Arctic
issues. Odd Rogne served as the Secretary for the
observing, and the following year a new initiative
SAON IG which had members from 13 international
sponsored by the Arctic Council (known as COMAAR
organizations representing the Arctic Council, Arctic
- Coordination of Observation and Monitoring in the
residents, the Arctic research community and oper-
Arctic for Assessment and Research) was devel-
ational and funding agencies. During ASSW 2007 in
oped as a proposal for IPY. Although this effort was
New Hampshire the IPY program offices from Swe-
not successful, the Arctic Council recognized that it
den and Canada agreed to host the first two SAON
should provide leadership for these initiatives and
workshops, and with these commitments in place
included in its Salekhard Declaration (2006) the re-
the SAON IG was able to begin its work in earnest.
quest to Arctic states and partners to work towards
Three international workshops (Stockholm, Edmon-
such a capability.
ton, Helsinki) and two regional meetings (St. Petersburg, Incheon) were held during 2007 and 2008,
This need for improving Arctic observing and data
with participation from more than 350 representa-
management was informally discussed between
tives of the science community, operational agen-
the IPY International Programme Office, IASC and
cies and indigenous peoples. The SAON IG submit-
Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme
ted a final report in December 2008 recommending
(AMAP) – representing the Arctic Council (AC) in No-
that the Arctic Council, in collaboration with IASC
Participants of the first
workshop on Sustaining
Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) in Stockholm, Sweden,
November 2007.
Photo: IASC Secretariat
57
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02 IASC Initiatives
06 Appendices