At the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø, Norway, international leaders in polar science and funding gathered for a roundtable to discuss preparations for the Fifth International Polar Year (IPY‑5), scheduled for 2032–33. The meeting underscored the urgency of coordinated global action, with Norway committing to play a central role in organizing and leading the initiative.
Over the next decade, Norway will make an active and visible contribution to IPY‑5. The Norwegian Polar Institute will chair an academic committee, while the Research Council of Norway will establish an IPY Secretariat. Together, they will coordinate national and international efforts, ensuring that IPY‑5 delivers transformative advances in polar knowledge.
“We are facing a triple crisis with climate change, loss of biodiversity and pollution. The next International Polar Year gives us an opportunity to raise the big questions and strengthen interdisciplinary polar research.” — Prof. Camilla Brekke, Director, Norwegian Polar Institute
Discussions at the roundtable highlighted the need to balance national priorities with international cooperation, align funding strategies across borders, and integrate diverse perspectives — including natural sciences, social sciences, indigenous knowledge, and technology development. Delegates stressed that climate change is advancing fastest in the polar regions, with consequences that reverberate globally.
Key participants included representatives from the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), the European Polar Board, Polar Knowledge Canada, the Alfred Wegener Institute, and national research councils from across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Their collective message was clear: IPY‑5 must be a truly global effort, transcending borders to deliver knowledge and solutions for sustainable development.
Looking ahead, the roundtable emphasized that the years leading up to 2032 will be critical for consolidating strategies, securing funding, and building partnerships. IPY‑5 is expected to be the most ambitious Polar Year yet, integrating cutting-edge science with policy relevance and public engagement.
