Photo: Arctic Biodiversity Congress features ICC chair Okalik Eegeesiak

The Arctic Biodiversity Congress, which got under way in Trondheim, Norway, today, brings together scientists, policy-makers, government officials and representatives from industry, civil society and indigenous groups, “to promote the conservation and sustainable use of Arctic biodiversity,” as well as to advise the Arctic Council’s Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) subcommittee in advance of the next Arctic Council ministerial meeting in Iqaluit in May 2015. Okalik Eegeesiak, chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council — above, middle and seated — is one of four panelist who participated in a discussion on biodiversity Dec. 2. She was joined by government representatives from the United States, Iceland and Greenland. The congress runs from Dec. 2 to Dec. 4. (PHOTO COURTESY ICC ALASKA FACEBOOK)