The Arctic affects the global climate through strong feedback processes in the system, consisting of the atmosphere, ocean, hydrosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, and tectonic activities. Six GCCA conferences have previously been held: Sendai in 2000, Sapporo in 2001, Fairbanks in 2002, Toyokawa in 2003, Tsukuba in 2004, and Tokyo in 2005. Through these conferences, crucial research topics were identified, partnerships developed, and integration of complementary research programs was initiated.

The GCCA conferences have been organized by the Consortium for GCCA in Japan and the International Arctic Research Center (IARC) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), in order to study Arctic climate change, global warming, and to predict the future changes. Fairbanks is an ideal location for the next conference, bringing together in an Arctic setting American, Japanese, and other international scientists for the purpose of formulating joint projects to advance our knowledge of the climate in the Arctic. The foci of this year's conference are (1) integration of our understanding of the role of the Arctic in the global climate change in order to strengthen the global connections of Arctic research over the next decade and (2) to facilitate and promote joint research projects between Japanese and US scientists for the specific target of the International Polar Year (IPY) to be held in 2007 to 2009.