International Polar Year 2032-33
IASC and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) are coordinating preparations for a 5th International Polar Year (IPY-5) in 2032–33. Organising the 5th IPY 25 years after the last IPY in 2007–08 reflects the urgent need for coordinated international research to address some of the greatest challenges facing the polar regions and the world as a whole.
The planning and implementation of IPY-5 are guided by an international IPY-5 Planning Group and Executive Committee, supported by the IPY-5 Interim Secretariat. The process brings together IASC, SCAR, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the International Science Council (ISC), the University of the Arctic, and many other partners representing both polar regions.
Together, this initiative aims to build an IPY that reflects the priorities, objectives and needs of participating organisations, the international research community, Indigenous Peoples and other residents of the polar regions, as well as wider rights holders and stakeholders. Individuals, communities and organisations working in, residing in, or having an interest in the polar regions are encouraged to participate and contribute to shaping this major international and collaborative effort.
Following an initial planning and consultation phase, IPY-5 entered its project phase in 2026. During this phase, research, education, outreach and other initiatives will be developed and implemented in preparation for the period of intensive coordinated polar activity in 2032–33. National Committees are being established to coordinate contributions at the national level, processes are being developed to endorse and connect IPY-5 initiatives, and work is underway to establish an International Coordination Office from 2027.
In the lead-up to IPY-5, IASC and SCAR will convene a joint Polar Conference in Incheon, Republic of Korea, in 2030. This will provide an important opportunity to connect polar communities, advance international coordination and support preparations for the main IPY-5 implementation period.
Further information on the IPY-5 planning process, opportunities to become involved and the latest developments is available through the IPY-5 website. Organisations and individuals interested in contributing may contact the IPY-5 Interim Secretariat at ipy-secretariat@iasc.info.
The International Polar Year 2032-2033 Concept Note, along with the IPY-5 timeline graph, was initially released in October 2023 but has been updated on a regular basis.
Download the most recent IPY 2032-2033 files on the ipy-5 website.
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 organisations that want to get engaged in the initial planning process to contact the IASC Secretariat (info@iasc.info) and the SCAR Secretariat (info@scar.org) for more information.
(Statement released on 13 December 2022)