« From the Arctic to Antarctica »
As part of its Polar Initiative, the Prince Albert II Foundation of Monaco co-organized from 25 to 27 February 2026 at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco the new edition of its Polar Symposium « From the Arctic to Antarctica », alongside the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the International Committee for Arctic Sciences (IASC), in collaboration with the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, Prince Albert I Foundation.
Placed under the theme « Building a sustainable legacy: translating the results of polar research into action« , this 2026 edition brought together for three days leading scientists, representatives of international organizations, public decision-makers, representatives of indigenous peoples and civil society actors to strengthen international scientific cooperation and address the most pressing challenges facing the polar regions.
The opening speeches were marked by the interventions of Romain Ciarlet, Vice President and CEO of the Prince Albert II Foundation of Monaco, Cyril Gomez, Deputy Director General of the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, Prince Albert I Foundation, Henry Burgess, President of the IASC and Professor Gary Wilson, President of the SCAR.
“Conservation efforts, scientific research and innovation in the polar regions have a cost, but remain largely underfunded. We must ensure that private and philanthropic actors step up their commitment, because today only 10% of funding comes from these stakeholders. We must ensure that resources are deployed with maximum efficiency, particularly supporting initiatives that can be developed on a large scale, for real impact. The symposium’s ambition is to bring us together to identify the best avenues for coordinated action. » Romain Ciarlet, Vice-President and CEO, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
Throughout the Symposium, round tables and workshops identified priority levers to strengthen the governance of the polar regions, ensure sustainable funding for research, and ensure a better articulation between science and political decision-making.
Three working sessions explored the strategic areas of structuring an action plan for the next decade:
· Strengthen international scientific collaboration in times of uncertainty;
· Develop innovative financing models;
· Accelerate the translation of scientific results into operational actions.
The exchanges highlighted the importance of long-term planning, internationally coordinated efforts, equitable stakeholder participation, and the integration of Aboriginal knowledge into research and conservation.
Among the highlights of the event were an exhibition by photographer John Weller, dedicated to Antarctica around the theme « Peace through science », a presentation of the Tara Polar Station in the Arctic, as well as artistic performances by Elle Maija Klefstad Bær and OSCAAL.
During their speeches, Henry Burgess, President of the IASC, and Cassandra Brooks, Head of the Permanent Committee on the Antarctic Treaty System of the SCAR, stressed the importance of the Symposium in preparing for the next International Polar Year (2032-2033). They both reaffirmed the need to reduce uncertainties, focusing on concrete, inclusive, and financing-oriented actions.
The event ended with an intervention by H.H.S. Prince Albert II of Monaco:
“The challenges facing the polar regions are systemic and accelerating, as we all know. Our response must therefore be coordinated and ambitious in its scale. This is all the more essential as the fifth international polar year approaches.
Monaco is ready to contribute to this collective effort, through the Polar Initiative, through our partnerships with the scientific community, as well as through the PolarDonor Roundtable; we thus seek to strengthen the continuity between science and funding, and between financing and impact.
Our ambition is clear: to ensure that the Polar Symposium is not only a discussion forum, but a catalyst for coordinated and fundable actions.
The polar regions are testing our ability to act together in the face of uncertainty. Let’s seize the momentum created here to deepen cooperation, structure partnerships and prepare ambitious and concretely applicable initiatives for the years to come. «
source : FPA2
