29 March 2026 | 13:30 - 18:00 CEST
Open and Closed Sessions- HYBRID
Room: Aulaen
Organiser: Maria Grigoratou (European Polar Board, Sweden)
Session Description:
Climate change is the primary driver of transformation in the polar regions, shaping not only climate and ecosystems but also questions of safety, security, and geopolitics. Within this evolving landscape, polar research is entering a period of renewed momentum, with major international initiatives such as IPY-5, the UN Cryosphere Decade, the UN Ocean Decade, and flagship programmes including Antarctica InSync, Arctic Pulse, and Arctic Ocean 2050. These efforts reflect a shared recognition of the accelerating pace of change and the central role of the polar regions in understanding and addressing its global impacts.
While collaboration in the Arctic and Antarctic research has advanced, opportunities remain to deepen international cooperation, particularly in the Arctic. The region’s shifting geopolitical dynamics, together with diverse national approaches to funding polar research, highlight the importance of building inclusive and durable frameworks for dialogue and joint action.
The session aims to strengthen regional dialogue on Polar research, with particular emphasis on the Arctic, fostering exchange both within and between continents. After a short closed EPB business meeting, a longer open session will explore regional contributions to international initiatives, with emphasis on IPY-5. Discussions will focus on how polar research can help address interconnected challenges that span local realities and global transformations, how cross-continental collaboration can be strengthened, and how partnerships beyond Europe can be expanded on the basis of mutual benefit.