On December 9–10, UNESCO brought together experts from around the world in Paris to define the strategy for the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034).
Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, Ambassador for the Polar Regions and Maritime Affairs, opened the meeting by highlighting the essential links between cryosphere protection, the water cycle, climate, oceans, and biodiversity.
Representatives from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Ministry for Ecological Transition, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research participated in the various working groups.
Glaciologist Dr. Heïdi Sevestre and Corinne Ducrey, lead of the project La Fresque des Glaciers, also took part in the discussions.
These two days followed a significant moment in France’s scientific diplomacy: the launch on December 3 at the Quai d’Orsay of the Francophone Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, alongside the Albédo Foundation, with the participation of Lidia Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural and Exact Sciences.
This event allowed France to:
- highlight the vitality and excellence of Francophone research;
- present its new Polar Strategy 2026–2040;
- reaffirm its ambition to be a major player in international polar research and global scientific cooperation.
France will continue to pursue this engagement to make the cryosphere a scientific, climatic, and diplomatic priority at the heart of multilateral decision-making.
