IPY-5 Task Groups

Tasks Groups are short-term groups that to work on developing a strategy for specific aspects of the IPY-5 planning process. They are not intended to be long-term committees, but rather starting points for shaping more permanent components of the IPY planning framework.

Members are nominated by the IPY-5 Planning Group from their organisations. In addition, other relevant experts will be invited depending on the expertise needed. 

Task Groups report on their progress to the IPY-5 Planning Group at their biannual meetings. 

Four Task Groups have been created so far: 

Task Group 1: Vision and Priorities for IPY 2032/33

Task Group 1 aims to identify a vision and purpose for IPY-5.  This includes suggesting joint polar issues which should be addressed as well as large lead products that could be worked on. The Task Group will also work on identifying metrics for success. The Task Group is composed of representative of both the Antarctic and Arctic (including Indigenous representation) both from the IPY-5 Planning Group and other experts. The group started its work in June 2025 and will present results before the end of 2025. 

Task Group 2: IPY-5 Indigenous Leadership and Involvement Coordination 

Task Group 2 aims to produce a detailed plan for coordination of Indigenous leadership and involvement in the IPY-5 planning process. The discussion will be held in close connection with the Fourth International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV) Process and its Indigenous Peoples’ Coordination Group. The group will be composed of representatives of the Indigenous organisations represented on the IPY Planning Group, representatives of the ICARP IV process and other Indigenous representatives including from the Southern Hemisphere. The group will start its work in September 2025. 

Task Group 3: Country and Funders Involvement

Task Group 3 started its work in December 2024 on a detailed plan, structure and suggested timeline for the involvement of countries and funders in the IPY-5 planning process. The Task Group aims to have these plans ready for September 2025.

Task Group 4: Capacity Building and Early Career Coordination 

Task Group 4 is co-led by UArctic and APECS and will begin its work in 2025. The aim of the Task Group is to create a detailed plan to ensure the integration of capacity building activities for future generations of polar professionals. The Task Group will coordinate the involvement of ECRs and connect relevant bodies to guide the representation of early career voices in the IPY-5 planning process.

How to propose an IPY-5 Task Group?

New Task Groups may be proposed by members of the IPY-5 Planning Group. 

Task Group Proposal Form

Do you have an idea for a Task Group but you or your organisation are not represented on the IPY-5 Planning Group? Please contact the interim IPY-5 Secretariat to discuss your ideas. 

Task Group Criteria

An IPY-5 Task Group must be:

  • Ad hoc, created for a defined purpose with a specific intended outcome (e.g. strategic document)

  • Planned to operate on a short-term basis only (up to 1 - 1.5 years)

  • Intended to develop strategy to advance the IPY-5 planning process (e.g. guidelines / strategic documents for longer-term planning process)

  • Comprised of members from more than one country and more than one partner organization on the IPY-5 Planning Group, with a recommended total of 10-15 members; and should aim to include members from more than one world region, more than one Indigenous member, and gender balance

  • Self-organizing, including meeting coordination and project management (the Interim IPY-5 Secretariat will only provide basic support for setting up a Task Group, and funding is not available for Task Groups; however, organizations can propose to provide secretariat support for specific Task Groups)

  • Open to input from all member organizations of the IPY-5 Planning Group, including nominations for Task Group members, with member selections made by the Task Group Chair in consultation with the IPY-5 Executive Committee (nominations can include Planning Group members as well as external experts, knowledge holders, and institutions working on relevant topics)

  • Reviewed annually by the IPY-5 Executive Committee to ensure compliance with these criteria and with the IPY-5 Code of Conduct (forthcoming)