Mission and Objectives

Mission and objectives

Global science for a rapidly changing world

IPY-5 will bring the world together to understand rapid change in the Arctic and Antarctic and its consequences for societies everywhere. Through international cooperation, innovation and equitable partnerships, it will generate the knowledge, scientific capacity and lasting connections needed for a more resilient future.

What IPY-5 will achieve

IPY-5 will mobilise scientific, technological and knowledge capabilities across countries, disciplines and sectors. It will strengthen observing systems, advance modelling and synthesis, support long-term scientific capacity, connect diverse knowledge systems and create new opportunities to understand and anticipate change across the Earth system.

Global science for global challenges

IPY-5 will unite countries, disciplines, sectors and knowledge systems in an unprecedented international scientific effort, while supporting equitable participation and partnerships.

A transformational leap in knowledge

Advances in artificial intelligence, satellite technology, autonomous observing systems, modelling and digital infrastructure create new opportunities to transform our understanding of Earth-system change.

Knowledge without borders

By sharing observations, expertise, infrastructure and investment across nations, IPY-5 will generate trusted knowledge that supports better decisions, resilience and sustainable development worldwide.

Diverse knowledge systems

IPY-5 will bring together scientific, Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems and support equitable knowledge co-production across disciplines, sectors and communities.

More resilient societies

Through lasting observing systems, scientific capacity, partnerships and trusted information, IPY-5 will strengthen societies' ability to anticipate, prepare for and respond to environmental change.

Connecting people, knowledge and polar regions

IPY-5 will connect natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, health sciences, humanities, Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems, governments, industry, policy communities and wider society.

It will also strengthen the next generation of scientists, innovators and knowledge holders, building lasting scientific capacity and partnerships that continue well beyond 2032–33.

From polar knowledge to global resilience

The success of IPY-5 will not be measured by a single discovery or publication, but by the observing systems, partnerships, scientific capabilities and trusted information that continue to support adaptation, risk reduction, sustainable development and informed decision-making long after the field campaigns have ended.

Get involved in IPY-5