Information

Monaco Polar Symposium : From the Arctic to the Antarctic

Enabling the Legacy: Translating Polar Research into Action

 February 25th and 27th, 2026

The Polar Symposium provides a unique platform bringing together scientists, Indigenous representatives and knowledge holders, policymakers, funders and non-governmental organisations to address the most pressing challenges facing the Arctic and Antarctic. Through a format combining high-level panels and participatory workshops, the Symposium fosters dialogue between Arctic and Antarctic communities and supports collective reflection on the future of both poles in a rapidly changing global context.

Building on the 2022 and 2024 editions, the Monaco Polar Symposium 2026 will advance strategic discussions to strengthen international cooperation and to shape the vision, priorities and implementation pathways of the 5th International Polar Year (IPY5). The programme will be structured around three interconnected themes:

• International Collaboration in Times of Uncertainty;
• Funding Innovation, Equity and New Models;
• From Research to Action: Flagship Initiatives and Implementation.

Through these workshops, participants will focus on translating knowledge into action by identifying priority needs for the polar regions and concrete pathways from science to policy and implementation.

The Symposium is designed to deliver actionable outcomes that will inform international and regional processes, support strategic decision-making, and help catalyse flagship initiatives needed to protect the cryosphere and the services it provides to society, while contributing to sustained engagement during IPY5 and beyond.

The Monaco Polar Symposium 2026 is organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), in collaboration with the Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation.

The Symposium will be held as an in-person event at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.

It will be preceded by a pre-event entitled "Preparing for IPY5: revitalising the International Antarctic Institute", co-organised by the University of the Arctic, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, the Oceanographic Institute and the Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation.

Partners in the organisation of the Polar Symposium: