Planning for the fifth International Polar Year (IPY) 2032-33

Following their recently renewed partnership agreement, the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) are pleased to confirm that preparatory work has started for a 5th International Polar Year (IPY) in 2032-33. Organizing 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 organizations that want to get engaged in the initial planning process to contact the IASC Secretariat ([email protected]) and the SCAR Secretariat ([email protected]) for more information.

Image by NASA via Flickr.