IPY-5 Task Groups
Task Groups are short-term groups that work on developing strategies 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-5 planning framework. Members are nominated by the IPY-5 Planning Group, with additional experts invited depending on the expertise needed.
Task Groups report on their progress to the IPY-5 Planning Group at biannual meetings.
Current Task Groups
| Task Group 1 Vision and Priorities for IPY 2032/33 |
Identifies a vision and purpose for IPY-5, including joint polar issues, possible lead products, and metrics for success. The group includes Arctic and Antarctic representatives, including Indigenous representation. | Started June 2025 |
| Task Group 2 Indigenous Leadership and Involvement Coordination |
Develops a detailed plan for coordinating Indigenous leadership and involvement in the IPY-5 planning process, in close connection with ICARP IV and its Indigenous Peoples’ Coordination Group. | Planned from September 2025 |
| Task Group 3 Country and Funders Involvement |
Develops a plan, structure, and suggested timeline for the involvement of countries and funders in the IPY-5 planning process. | Started December 2024 |
| Task Group 4 Capacity Building and Early Career Coordination |
Co-led by UArctic and APECS, this Task Group supports the integration of capacity building activities and early career voices in the IPY-5 planning process. | Planned from 2025 |
| Task Group 5 Data Coordination |
Led through a coordinated effort of CODATA, the Arctic Data Committee, the Southern Ocean Observing System, and the Standing Committee for Antarctic Data Management. The group compiles data resources, including best practices, standards, and repositories. Join the Task Group 5 mailing list |
Started Spring 2026 |
How to propose a Task Group
New Task Groups may be proposed by members of the IPY-5 Planning Group.
Open the Task Group Proposal Form
Submitted proposals are considered by the IPY-5 Executive Committee at their next upcoming meeting.
Task Group Criteria
An IPY-5 Task Group must be:
- Ad hoc, created for a defined purpose with a specific intended outcome, such as a strategic document.
- Planned to operate on a short-term basis only, usually up to 1–1.5 years.
- Intended to develop strategy to advance the IPY-5 planning process.
- Comprised of members from more than one country and more than one partner organisation on the IPY-5 Planning Group, with a recommended total of 10–15 members.
- Aiming to include members from more than one world region, more than one Indigenous member, and gender balance.
- Self-organising, including meeting coordination and project management.
- Open to input from all member organisations of the IPY-5 Planning Group, including nominations for Task Group members.
- Reviewed annually by the IPY-5 Executive Committee to ensure compliance with these criteria and with the IPY-5 Code of Conduct (forthcoming).
Have an idea, but are not represented on the IPY-5 Planning Group?
If you or your organisation are not represented on the IPY-5 Planning Group, please contact the Interim IPY-5 Secretariat to discuss your idea.