Photo: Ole Øiseth

On Monday 26. March the Council, hosted by Norwegian Minister of the
Environment, Mr. Bård Vegar Solhjell, visited Ny-Ålesund during their short
stay on Svalbard.

Upon arrivel they were given briefs by Kim Holmén, International Director 
at The Norwegian Polar Institute, and Pål Prestrud, Director at Cicero
(Center for International Climate and Environmental Research) about
climate changes in the Arctic and melting of high-lying glaciers.

Before returning to Longyearbyen they had a stop at The Norwegian
Mapping Authority where Division Director Per Erik Opseth and Deputy
Director General, Knut Arne Gjertsen from the main office in Hønefoss
informed the Council about their new antenna project, and about their
activity in general.