The CAFF WG Plenary 2026-I highlights good progress on CAFF’s 2025-2027 Work Plan objectives

CAFF’s WG Plenary 2026-I took place on March 5, 8, and 9, the second meeting under Iceland’s Chairship of CAFF 2025-2027. Over 60 participants registered for the virtual event to discuss important updates on CAFF’s priority areas, including the further development of the Actions for Arctic Biodiversity, the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program, and several joint projects focusing on the marine environment and climate change in cooperation with other Arctic Council Working Groups, amongst other projects and activities.

The meeting was opened by the Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials, Kenneth Høegh, who provided welcoming remarks from the Kingdom of Denmark’s Chairship of the Arctic Council. The SAO Chair emphasized CAFF’s good progress on implementing its work plan including on key activities such as the Actions for Arctic Biodiversity 2025-2035 and the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program. The Chair also highlighted a schedule of Chairship events for the year to come, including the Chairship’s Arctic Biodiversity Summit to be held in Nuuk in March 2027.

The meeting featured an update on the ongoing Actions for Arctic Biodiversity webinar series as well as a discussion on the development of a biodiversity indicator strategy. The Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program, a cornerstone project for CAFF, provided updates from all four expert groups; Coastal, Marine, Freshwater, and Terrestrial, noting progress towards an update on the State of the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Report, anticipated to be finalized in 2027. Cross-working group activities, such as Invasive Alien Species, a joint PAME/CAFF project, and Climate Change Impacts and Associated Feedbacks, a joint CAFF/AMAP project, provided expert updates and progress to date.

More information on CAFF’s current projects and activities can be found on the CAFF website.

“I am encouraged by the participation and engagement from all participants,” said Snorri Sigurðsson, CAFF Chair for Iceland’s Chairship 2025-2027. “CAFF’s vital work requires circumpolar engagement with Arctic States, Permanent Participants, and Observers, and the meaningful dialogue during our Plenary meeting wonderfully showcased the delegates’ commitment to achieving this.”

The CAFF Working Group Plenary 2026-II will be held online in the fall of 2026.