The planning for the 5th International Polar Year in 2032-33 is currently underway. Planning discussions have been underway between 17 organisations since 2021 and an initial IPY concept note and planning timeline was published in October 2023.
An interim Secretariat for the IPY planning process is currently being operated by the Secretariats of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).
A more detailed interim planning structure for the next two years is currently being set up with the aim of providing an open and inclusive planning process to build an IPY that reflects the aims, objectives and needs of the international research community, as well as Indigenous Peoples, residents of the Polar Regions and wider stakeholders with an interest in polar research.
Interested stakeholders will soon have multiple opportunities to contribute to the IPY planning process. These opportunities to provide input and vision will span both short-term (e.g. through regular town hall meetings / fora) or longer-term (e.g. through participation in the IPY Planning Group and targeted Task Groups). More information will be made available over the coming months.
At this time we are inviting other regional or international organisations / unions / associations (scientific, Indigenous, educational etc.) to join the IPY Planning Group. Organisations interested to join should be:
- working on / in the polar regions, including organisations working to deliver/enable science in the polar regions (e.g. logistics)
- committed to contributing directly and long-term to the planning of the IPY 2032-33