Enabling the Legacy: Translating Polar Research into Action

Co-organized by the University of the Arctic, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, and the Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation

Institut océanographique - Fondation Albert Ier, Prince de Monaco

SCAR

UArctic

The opening session officially launches the Monaco Polar Symposium 2026. High-level representatives of the organizing institutions welcome participants and set the overall vision of “Enabling the Legacy: Translating Polar Research into Action,” introducing the objectives, themes, and ambition of the Symposium.

Cyril Gomez

Chief Operating Officer

Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation

Gary Wilson

President

Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research

Henry Burgess

President

International Arctic Science Committee

Romain Ciarlet

Acting Chief Executive Officer

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

This opening conversation sets the tone for the Symposium through an inspiring exchange among the speakers. Reflecting on the legacy of past International Polar Years and the perspectives of IPY-5, it offers high-level insights into the connections between polar science, public policy, and society, guiding the discussions that follow.

Dalee Sambo Dorough

Adviser

University of Alaska Anchorage

Olav Orheim

Member of the Scientific and Technical Committee

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

Salvatore Aricò

CEO

International Science Council

moderator

Salomé Mormentyn

Polar Initiative Manager

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

This panel explores how international collaboration in polar research is evolving amid growing geopolitical uncertainty, at a time of accelerating climate and environmental change in the polar regions. Speakers will discuss current challenges and emerging opportunities, and reflect on how to sustain resilient and effective cooperation that supports informed action in a rapidly changing landscape.

Anil Mishra

Chief of Section Hydrological Systems, Climate Change and Adaptation

UNESCO

Antje Boetius

President and CEO

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

Burcu Ozsoy

Director

TÜBİTAK Polar Research Institute

David Balton

Senior Fellow

Harvard University Kennedy School of Government

Sara Olsvig

Chair

Inuit Circumpolar Council

moderator

Pam Pearson

Director and Founder

International Cryosphere Climate Initiative

This panel explores the evolution of environmental and climate funding for polar research and action amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty. It will highlight lessons learned, innovative funding models, and enabling conditions, including equity and inclusive participation, to support effective and scalable transitions from science to implementation and impact, towards IPY5.

Aviaaja Karlshøj Knudsen

Chair

Arctic Economic Council

Bapon Fakhruddin

Water Sector Lead

Green Climate Fund

David Hik

Chief Scientist and Vice-President, Research

Polar Knowledge Canada

Per-Henning Mathisen

Advisor – Arctic and Environmental Unit

Sámiráđđi / Saami Council

Ryan Dolan

Managing Director, Blue Nature Alliance

The Pew Charitable Trusts

Sigi Gruber

Active Senior Advisor

European Commission and- DG RTD

moderator

Maria Grigoratou

Executive Secretary

European Polar Board

A special conversation with photographer and filmmaker John Weller, offering a powerful visual and narrative journey into the polar regions and the conservation of Antarctica. Through personal experience from the field, this exchange explores storytelling, the rapid changes unfolding in Antarctica, the role of imagery in bearing witness, and how visual narratives can connect science, society, and collective action.

John Weller

Senior Fellow

Only One

moderator

Genie Godula

Senior Anchor

France 24

This final panel focuses on implementation and impact, exploring how polar science can move beyond coordination and funding toward concrete, large-scale action to address climate and environmental change. Speakers will propose and reflect on flagship, multinational initiatives capable of delivering lasting scientific, environmental and societal benefits, and of shaping a meaningful legacy for the Fifth International Polar Year (IPY-5) and beyond.

Anita Lafferty

Research Associate

Aurora College

Cassandra Brooks

Professor

University of Colorado Boulder

Jefferson Cardia Simões

Director

Centro Polar e Climatico - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Matthew Druckenmiller

Vice President and U.S. Delegate

International Arctic Science Committee

Rob DeConto

Principle investigator and host scientist

Climate & Cryosphere (CliC), World Climate Research Program

moderator

Michael Meredith

Joint Director, UK National Climate Science Partnership

British Antarctic Survey

Hosted by Dr. Frederik Paulsen, Chair of UArctic, this gala dinner marks the link between the pre-event and the Monaco Polar Symposium 2026. Held at the Yacht Club of Monaco, it offers a privileged moment for informal exchange and networking, fostering dialogue among participants.

Frederik Paulsen

Chair

UArctic

Workshop 1 invites participants to look ahead to the start of the Fifth International Polar Year (IPY5, 2032–2033) and reflect on how international polar collaboration may evolve in an increasingly uncertain global context. Through scenario-based discussions, participants will explore plausible future trajectories, as well as the key challenges and opportunities shaping these futures. Focusing on research, knowledge systems, and science–policy interfaces that enable climate and environmental action, the workshop aims to identify priority levers and enabling actions that can be activated in the lead-up to IPY5. Its outcomes provide the strategic foundation for subsequent workshops on funding pathways (WS2) and implementation and flagship initiatives (WS3).

A coffee break will take place from 11:00 to 11:20.

moderator

Eirik Larsen

Head of Human Rights Unit

Saami Council

moderator

Jennifer Spence

Director

Belfer Center Arctic Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School

moderator

Mads Qvist Frederiksen

Directeur exécutif

Arctic Economic Council

moderator

Monika Szkarłat

Assistant professor, researcher

Maria Curie-Skolodowska University (Lublin, Poland), Polish Polar Consortium, the Committee on Polar Research (Polish Academy of Sciences)

Workshop 2 focuses on strengthening alignment between funders and the polar research and action community. Building on the priority actions identified in Workshop 1, participants will explore what funders expect, how researchers and project leaders can better demonstrate real-world impact, and what adjustments on both sides are needed to unlock funding at scale. Its outcomes will directly feed into Workshop 3, ensuring that flagship initiatives and implementation pathways are grounded in realistic, funder-informed financing perspectives.

A coffee break will take place from 16:20 to 16:40.

moderator

Bapon Fakhruddin

Water Sector Lead

Green Climate Fund

moderator

Henry Burgess

President

International Arctic Science Committee

moderator

Narelle van der Wel

Head, Cryosphere Monitoring, Prediction and Services Unit

World Meteorological Organization

Live performance by Elle Májjá Klefstad Bær, Sámi artist from Karasjok, blending yoik, vocals and guitar.

Elle Maija Klefstad Bær

This dining cocktail, held on the first floor of the Oceanographic Museum, extends the free visit and offers a convivial moment of exchange and networking in an immersive setting.

Workshop 3 is the implementation-focused culmination of the Monaco Polar Symposium 2026. Building on the strategic priorities identified in Workshop 1 and the funding pathways explored in Workshop 2, participants will work to translate these insights into concrete, high-impact flagship initiatives. The workshop will focus on defining implementation pathways, governance arrangements, and first steps to ensure that these initiatives deliver tangible outcomes for science and society and contribute to a lasting legacy beyond IPY5 (2032–2033).

A coffee break will take place from 11:20 to 11:40.

moderator

Cassandra Brooks

Professor

University of Colorado Boulder

moderator

Gary Wilson

President

Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research

moderator

Michael Meredith

Joint Director, UK National Climate Science Partnership

British Antarctic Survey

moderator

Olav Orheim

Member of the Scientific and Technical Committee

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

moderator

Renuka Badhe

Secretary General

EuroGOOS

A conversation on understanding and protecting the Central Arctic Ocean through the example of the Tara Polar Station.

Becca Robbins Gisclair

Sr. Director, Arctic & Northern Waters

Ocean Conservancy

Pierre Mienville

Advocacy officer

Tara Ocean Foundation

moderator

Genie Godula

Senior Anchor

France 24

A live performance by OSCAAL, or Niels Ovllá Oskal Dunfjell, is a talented yoiker, singer and songwriter with upcoming modern Sami music. He is the winner of the 2025 Sámi Grand Prix with the traditional yoik "Sávrrimus", which marks the beginning of his journey. Later this year he will be releasing songs from his upcoming album. His music is an unique mix between yoik, one of the oldest surviving singing traditions in Europe, and modern pop. He his singing in his mother tongue, Northern Sami, a language spoken by only 30,000 people. OSCAAL is based in Guovdageaidnu, which is located above the Artic circle on Norwegian side of Sápmi. The cold and beautiful winters are often an inspiration for his music. more information: oscaal.com

OSCAAL

Closing remarks from partners and keynote addresses, culminating with the official closing by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco in livestream.

Cassandra Brooks

Professor

University of Colorado Boulder

Chairman Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson

Chairman

Arctic Circle

Henry Burgess

President

International Arctic Science Committee

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco