One of the main themes at the 2016 Arctic Science Ministerial was Strengthening and Integrating Arctic Observations and Data Sharing. The ministers committed to the “shared development of a science-driven, integrated Arctic-observing system” and saw “a critical role for the Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) initiative”.
As a response to this, the IDA Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI) and SAON have published the International Arctic Observations Assessment Framework. The Framework was developed in January 2017 as STPI and SAON co-hosted a workshop, convening experts from international, state, and local governments, industry, academia, and non-governmental organizations. The Framework is found here.