Official Announcement: Monaco Polar Symposium 2026
Events
Monaco Polar Symposium 2026 From Arctic to Antarctic - Enabling the Legacy: Translating Polar Research into Action
The Polar Initiative is pleased to announce that the third edition of the Monaco Polar Symposium will take place from the afternoon of 25 February to 27 February 2026, at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.
Held every two years, the Monaco Polar Symposium is a key moment for dialogue and collective reflection, bringing together the Arctic and Antarctic communities to address the major challenges facing the polar regions. Organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Symposium aims to foster meaningful exchanges between science, policy, civil society, Indigenous representatives, funders, and field actors, through an interactive format combining panel discussions and participatory workshops.
Following the first two editions held in 2022 and 2024, the Monaco Polar Symposium has established itself as an international platform for strategic reflection, designed to jointly shape pathways for the future of the polar regions.
The 2026 edition will focus on translating science into action, informing policy, serving society, and contributing to the preparation of the Fifth International Polar Year (IPY-5), while strengthening international cooperation across the Arctic and Antarctic.
Thematic focus of the 2026 edition
Discussions will be structured around three core thematic pillars:
1. International Collaboration in Times of Uncertainty
This theme will explore how international polar cooperation can be maintained and strengthened in a rapidly changing geopolitical context. It will address governance, diplomacy, Indigenous and community-based participation, and the essential conditions needed to sustain long-term collaboration across regions and disciplines.
2. Funding Innovation, Equity & New Models
This theme will examine how polar action can be better financed in ways that are more equitable, sustainable, and adapted to current challenges. Discussions will focus on innovative funding mechanisms, coordination between funders, and models that can support both Arctic and Antarctic priorities in the context of IPY-5.
3. Research to Action: Flagship Initiatives & Implementation
This theme will focus on how polar research can be translated into concrete action with tangible impact. It will explore effective implementation pathways, the connection between science and policy, and the identification of flagship initiatives that should be prioritised to address urgent polar challenges and societal needs.
Format
• In-person in Monaco (invitation only)
• Panels followed by participatory workshops designed to deliver concrete outcomes and recommendations
Save the date
25 February (afternoon) – 27 February 2026
Further details on the programme, speakers, and practical information will be shared at a later stage on the Polar Initiative website.
To learn more about previous editions: