The Ny-Ålesund Symposium is a high-level international event where top researchers and politicians, senior business executives, representatives of NGOs and other decision makers meet to share experiences and to discuss climate change solutions. ^[1] The topics are related to the challenges of climate change, other environmental issues, and directly related to the Arctic and the Northern areas. Participation is limited to 45 people, by invitation only. The Symposium takes place on Svalbard at 79 degrees north. It is the world’s largest permanent settlement and is only 1200 km from the North Pole. The Norwegian Government has had this training in the field of environmental science and environmental monitoring in the Arctic.

The base hosts scientists 20 nations and plays an important role in international climate change research. It is owned and operated by the Kings Bay AS , a coal mining company in earlier days. The scenery is exceptional, with a backdrop of unspoiled Arctic nature. The purpose of the Symposium is to exchange knowledge, improve the understanding and seek solutions of the Arctic. The Symposium is organized by Kings Bay ASin the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Justice and the Research Council of Norway. Statkraft AS is a co-organizer and sponsor of the Symposium. The secretariat is by CICERO Center for International Climate and Environmental Research-Oslo. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway is patron of the Symposium. The first Symposium was arranged in March 2006. The main themes for the symposia have been:

• 2006 – The Changing Arctic – new opportunities and challenges
• 2007 – The Changing Arctic – Global Climate Change – The Need for Action ^[2]
• 2008 – Global climate change and research challenges
• 2009 – Climate change: Global understanding towards Copenhagen and beyond
• 2010 – The Changing Arctic and its Global Implications
• 2011 – canceled due to volcanic ash cloud
• 2012 – Towards a green economy: the role of technology
• 2013 – The Changing Arctic – Opportunity or Threat
• 2014 – Breaking the Climate Stalemate ^[3]

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