28 March 2026 | 08:00 - 18:00 CET
Closed Session / By Invitation Only - HYBRID
Room: Mødelokale 1.1
Organiser: Vitalii Zemlianskii (University of Zürich, Switzerland)
Session Description:
As Arctic ecosystems experience an unprecedented change on a pan-Arctic scale, studying them requires a coordinated approach. Since 1883, four International Polar Years (IPY) have been held, bringing together scientists globally to develop a unified strategy for polar research. The 5th IPY will be held in 2032-2033 aiming to close knowledge gaps in polar research, develop adaptation and mitigation strategies for environmental changes, and accelerate progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Half of the terrestrial Arctic lies in Russia, making the contributions of scientists studying Russia essential to the IPY. Although the Arctic Council has recently resumed its work at the working group level, there is currently no clear framework for the participation of Russian vegetation scientists in IPY through a bottom-up approach required for such a large initiative. With a currently highly uncertain political perspective, without a new proactive approach, the contribution of Russian scientists to IPY will not be secured, as the existing connections deteriorate and new ones are unlikely to be established. As co-design is central to the International Polar Year, the absence of Russian scientists and Indigenous peoples with their knowledge will not only prevent International researchers from assessing invaluable data on the state of Russia's Arctic ecosystems, but will also result in the loss of crucial expertise needed to formulate a common response to Arctic change. It is therefore essential to maintain links between Russian and International scientists in the Arctic, even in the context of current restrictions.
During the workshop, we will discuss the current state of Arctic vegetation science in Russia and exchange on possible ways of research coordination with a special focus on preparation for IPY 2032-2033. This will provide a foundation for regular online exchanges and common work, including the further progress towards pan-Arctic Vegetation Archive, which is crucial for understanding ecosystem change on a pan-Arctic scale.