International Polar Year 2032-33

SCAR and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) are pleased to confirm that preparatory work has started for a 5th International Polar Year (IPY) in 2032-33.  Organising the 5th IPY 25 years after the last IPY in 2007-08 reflects the urgent need for coordinated international research to tackle the biggest challenges of polar research, for both the Polar Regions themselves and for the world as a whole.

Aside from IASC and SCAR, the initial planning efforts for the 5th IPY are currently supported by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), International Science Council (ISC), University of the Arctic, International Arctic Social Sciences Association (IASSA), the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) and other partners worldwide representing both poles. Together, this initiative aims to build an IPY that reflects the aims, objectives and needs of each organisation, the international research community, as well as Indigenous Peoples and other residents of the Polar Regions and wider stakeholders. Over the coming years, many individuals, stakeholders and rightsholders working on, having an interest in, or residing in the Polar Regions will be encouraged to participate and help shape this large community effort.

In the lead up to the 5th IPY, SCAR and IASC are also pleased to announce a joint SCAR-IASC Polar Conference in 2030.

We look forward to sharing the next steps with you from 2023 onward and encourage organisations that want to get engaged in the initial planning process to contact the SCAR Secretariat ([email protected]) and the IASC Secretariat ([email protected]) for more information.

Initial Concept Note October 2023

IPY 2032 33 Initial Concept Note October 2023In October 2023, the organisations currently involved in the Planning Group have released an initial concept note and timeline for the 5th International Polar Year 2032-33 that can be downloaded below.

For more information and to provide feedback please contact the Secretariats of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) ([email protected]) and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) ([email protected]).

Why an International Polar Year in 2032–33?

This is a critical decade for people and the planet. Extreme weather, rising temperatures, rising sea levels, and devastating events such as droughts, floods, wildfires, marine warming, ocean acidification, and record lows in sea ice extent are becoming ever more prevalent, affecting ecosystems, economies, and human wellbeing around the world. Many changes are taking shape faster than previously predicted, and as the IPCC 6th Assessment Report made clear, many of the most serious consequences are linked to unprecedented changes in the Arctic and Antarctic. The urgency of understanding the consequences of such rapid change in the polar regions for global climate, biodiversity and human societies is now clear and has never been greater.

A 5th International Polar Year (IPY) will provide a vital opportunity to close outstanding major knowledge gaps through targeted attention and globally-coordinated action enabling polar researchers, knowledge holders, rights holders and stakeholders to achieve major breakthroughs in the knowledge required to protect the global environment, develop effective national and local strategies to mitigate and adapt to environmental changes, and accelerate progress towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Download the Initial Concept Note and Timeline for the IPY 2032-2033