The Monaco Polar Symposium 2026 will return to the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco from the afternoon of 25 February to 27 February 2026, reaffirming Monaco’s role as a global convening point for polar dialogue, cooperation, and action.
Held every two years, the Symposium has become a cornerstone event for the Arctic and Antarctic scientific, policy, and stakeholder communities, offering a unique space for collective reflection on the future of the planet’s most vulnerable regions. The third edition is co-organised by the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), and the Institut Océanographique, uniting leading institutions dedicated to advancing polar knowledge and stewardship.
From Knowledge to Impact
Building on the success of the 2022 and 2024 editions, the 2026 Symposium will focus on a central ambition: translating polar science into meaningful action. As climate change accelerates and geopolitical uncertainty grows, the need to connect research with policy, finance, and societal impact has never been more urgent.
The discussions will also contribute directly to preparations for the Fifth International Polar Year (IPY-5), strengthening international cooperation and aligning scientific priorities across the Arctic and Antarctic.
Key Themes for 2026
The programme will be structured around three strategic thematic pillars:
International Collaboration in Times of Uncertainty
This theme will explore how polar cooperation can be sustained and reinforced amid shifting geopolitical realities. Topics will include governance and diplomacy, Indigenous and community-based participation, and the conditions required for durable, inclusive, and long-term collaboration across regions and disciplines.
Funding Innovation, Equity & New Models
Participants will examine how polar action can be financed more effectively and equitably. Discussions will highlight innovative funding mechanisms, coordination among funders, and new models capable of supporting both Arctic and Antarctic priorities, particularly in the context of IPY-5.
Research to Action: Flagship Initiatives & Implementation
This pillar will focus on turning science into tangible outcomes. It will address pathways for implementation, the science–policy interface, and the identification of flagship initiatives that can deliver measurable impact for polar regions and the societies connected to them.
Format and Participation
The Monaco Polar Symposium 2026 will be held in person in Monaco and is by invitation only. The programme will combine high-level panel discussions with participatory workshops designed to produce concrete recommendations and actionable outcomes.
Save the Date
25 February (afternoon) – 27 February 2026
Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
Further information on the programme, speakers, and practical arrangements will be announced in due course via the Polar Initiative.
As the world looks increasingly to the poles for signals of planetary change, the Monaco Polar Symposium 2026 aims to ensure that scientific insight is matched by collective responsibility—and decisive action.
