Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, former Icelandic president and chairman of Arctic Circle, speaks at the opening ceremony of the Arctic Circle Assembly 2022 in Reykjavik, Iceland, Oct. 13, 2022. The Arctic Circle Assembly 2022 kicked off here Thursday with a record 2,000 participants from almost 70 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Chen Jing)
REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Arctic Circle Assembly 2022 kicked off here Thursday with a record 2,000 participants from almost 70 countries and regions.
"This is a formidable demonstration of the desire from so many different quarters of the planet to come together ... to seek solutions," said Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, former Icelandic president and chairman of Arctic Circle, at the opening ceremony.
In her opening speech, Icelandic Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir called for cooperation on Arctic issues, which have a global impact on all human beings.
Chinese Ambassador to Iceland He Rulong attended the opening ceremony upon invitation. Gao Feng, special representative for Arctic Affairs of the Foreign Ministry of China, will participate in several discussions on China- and Asia-related topics.
Founded in 2013 by Grimsson, the Arctic Circle holds its assembly in Iceland every October. This year's four-day event will have over 200 sessions with more than 600 speakers. ■
Olafur Ragnar Grimsson (L) , former Icelandic president and chairman of Arctic Circle, hosts the Q&A session with a guest during the Arctic Circle Assembly 2022 in Reykjavik, Iceland, Oct. 13, 2022. The Arctic Circle Assembly 2022 kicked off here Thursday with a record 2,000 participants from almost 70 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Chen Jing)
