GIRDWOOD, Alaska, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Global and Local Policy and Development Leaders Gather at Alyeska Resort June 19-21, 2011

- Climate changes are making the Arctic region more accessible than ever before.  Shipping growth and new traffic are driving new development opportunities and present unique cultural and policy implications.  For the first time, international, domestic and local leaders meet in Alaska to discuss the ramifications of changes in the North.

On Sunday, June 19th, an unprecedented gathering of global government, development and investment leaders will meet at The Arctic Imperative, the first significant forum staged in Alaska to discuss a growing range of interconnected Arctic economic, cultural, and environmental issues resulting from increased access to the region.

The summit, held at Alyeska Resort, 30 minutes from Anchorage, will feature two days of policy and investor roundtables and research presentations focused on defining and quantifying Arctic economic opportunities, international and local policy considerations, the current and future investment climate, and shipping and infrastructure security concerns.  A live-feed of the summit will be available online at http://www.arcticimperative.com.  

Summit convener Alice Rogoff said, "Nearly two hundred leaders from around the world will gather to learn about the changing Arctic from the viewpoints of Alaska. They will tackle the region's crosscutting topics -- from Arctic shipping and navigation to energy and resource development. They will hear from village coastal residents directly and debate the issues with representatives of the international investment community, executives from the shipping and infrastructure sectors, federal and state policymakers, and many other interested parties." ( Alaska Dispatch, June 12).

Confirmed summit speakers include:

• David Balton, U.S. Department of State
• Admiral Thomas Barrett, USGC (ret.), President, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
• Artur Chilingarov, Deputy Chairman, State Duma of the Russina Federation, President of Non-commercial Partnership of the Coordination of Northern Sea Route Usage
• The Honorable Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland
• Richard Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations
• The Honorable Edward Itta, Mayor, North Slope Borough
• Sergey Kislyak, Russian Ambassador to the United States
• Pontus Melander, Minister-Counselor, Embassy of Sweden
• U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski
• General Joseph Ralston (Ret), Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO
• Rex Rock, President, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
• Kenneth Rogoff, Professor of Economics, Harvard University
• David Rubenstein, Managing Director, Carlyle Group
• Denis Stevens, Consulate General of Canada, Seattle
• The Honorable Dan Sullivan, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Natural Resources
• Peter Taksoe-Jensen, Danish Ambassador to the United States
• The Honorable Mead Treadwell, Lieutenant Governor, State of Alaska
• Fran Ulmer, Chair, United States Arctic Research Commission

Speakers will be available for in-person interviews and follow-up discussions regarding the region's natural resources, investment opportunities, emerging regional infrastructure needs, Arctic science and research, and the status of principles for responsible development.

Immediately following the summit, attendees can participate in an optional two-day tour of strategic facilities across the state to see the significance of the U.S. gateway to the Arctic first-hand.  To register for the Arctic Tour, email Megan at megan@alaskadispatch.com to secure your seat, as space is limited.

The Arctic Imperative, concluding on the summer solstice, is presented by The Alaska Dispatch and other sponsors.  For more information on registration, agenda, media credentials and the Arctic tour, please visit http://www.arcticimperative.com and follow the conference on Facebook and Twitter (@ArcticSummit).

   
    Contact:  Tim Fitzpatrick
              +1-907-717-4978
              fitzpidgeon@gmail.com

SOURCE The Arctic Imperative