Monaco is once again placing the polar regions at the centre of global environmental debate as the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation hosts the third edition of the Polar Symposium: From the Arctic to the Antarctic this week…
Bringing together scientists, policymakers and experts from around the world, the event has become an important international platform for discussion on the future of the planet’s most fragile ecosystems.
Often perceived as distant and remote, the polar regions are in fact among the most critical indicators of climate change. Over three days of discussions, participants are exploring the environmental, geopolitical and scientific challenges facing both the Arctic and Antarctic. Organisers say the goal is not only to highlight the urgency of the situation, but also to identify a concrete roadmap for coordinated international action.
Research shows that polar regions are warming three to four times faster than the global average, accelerating ice melt, sea-level rise and extreme weather patterns that affect communities far beyond the poles. These changes carry economic, political and social consequences worldwide, reinforcing the need for stronger global cooperation.
The symposium also forms part of the Foundation’s broader Polar Initiative, launched four years ago to support research and encourage collaboration among scientists, particularly those at the start of their careers. Topics this year include biodiversity protection, climate science and the growing geopolitical tensions surrounding Arctic cooperation.
By convening leading voices in science and policy, Monaco continues to position itself as a key advocate for polar research and international environmental dialogue.
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