On 12 June 2025, from 13:30 to 15:00, a special side event will take place aboard the German research vessel RV Meteor, docked at the Port of Nice, during the United Nations Ocean Conference. The event will be co-organised by Antarctica InSync, the Tara Ocean Foundation, and the European polar infrastructure network POLARIN, under the theme “Polar Oceans, Climate and Biodiversity: Advancing Synergies and Sustainability of International Science Collaboration.”
The event will bring together scientists, policymakers, and civil society representatives to explore the critical role of the polar oceans in regulating Earth’s climate and preserving global biodiversity. The Arctic and Southern Oceans serve as major heat and carbon sinks, drive oceanic and atmospheric circulation, and host some of the planet’s most unique and productive ecosystems. However, their increasing vulnerability due to rapid warming and ice loss underscores the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation.
Three major international initiatives will be introduced:
- Antarctica InSync, a UN Ocean Decade programme supporting coordinated Antarctic research
- POLARIN, a European research infrastructure network advancing polar science
- Tara Arctic Drift, a planned transpolar research expedition led by the Tara Ocean Foundation
A moderated panel discussion will follow, focusing on:
- Opportunities for involvement in these initiatives
- Key scientific questions to advance understanding of polar climate and ecosystems
- Strategies for sustained and inclusive polar observation
- Contributions to ocean governance and policy development
- Knowledge exchange with business, policy, and civil society
- Support for early-career scientists through funding and mentorship
This side event will underscore the value of collective action and data-sharing in advancing polar science and emphasize the polar oceans’ irreplaceable role in maintaining a stable and livable planet.
UNOC 2025 website: https://oceandecade.org/events/2025-united-nations-ocean-conference/
Side event on RV Meteor: https://event.ptj.de/en/unoc-2025-meteor-sideevents
UNOC event on AWI website: https://www.awi.de/im-fokus/un-ozeankonferenz-nizza-2025.html
