AFoPS Announcement
It is with great honor that we formally announce the establishment of the Secretariat of the Asia Forum for Polar Science (AFoPS), hosted and operated by the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC). This milestone achievement signifies our collective commitment to advancing regional cooperation and sustainable development in polar affairs.
As the interim coordinating body, the Secretariat will undertake the following Key Functions:
- Serve as the operational hub for all AFoPS initiatives
- Ensure efficient communication and foster collaboration among member states
- Facilitate implementation of resolutions and coordinate resource mobilization.
Key Updates: Chairmanship Transition
We are pleased to congratulate the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), India, on its designation as the incoming AFoPS Chair for 2025/2026. Under NCPOR's stewardship, the Forum will prioritize polar science diplomacy and climate resilience initiatives during this pivotal period.
We extend our profound gratitude to all member states for their steadfast support during the preparatory phase. Your sustained engagement with international polar governance mechanisms has been pivotal in realising this shared vision. The Secretariat remains committed to strengthening synergies with established international bodies, including the Scientific Committee of Antarctic Research (SCAR), International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), as well as the Antarctic Treaty System and Arctic Council, to amplify our collective impact.
Moving forward, we cordially invite your active participation and valuable input to ensure the Secretariat's operations remain aligned with member priorities. Dr. Wei Luo from Polar Research Institute of China is the current Executive Secretary of AFoPS Secretariat. For further information, please contact us at afops.secretariat@afops.org or visit our official portal at https://afops.org/.
Together, let us fully utilize the potential of the AFoPS Secretariat to drive innovation, promote inclusivity, and deliver transformative outcomes for our region. We look forward to building bridges between regional priorities and global governance frameworks through this new platform.