International Antarctic Institute Secretariat Relaunched at Monaco Pre-Event Focused on Antarctic Academic Cooperation
A pre-event hosted in Monaco in February, organized by UArctic, SCAR, and the Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation officially announced the re-launch of the International Antarctic Institute Secretariat, which will be based at Ocean University China. The pre-event was then followed by the 3rd Monaco Polar Symposium.
Representatives from universities, scientific bodies, and research foundations met in Monaco on 24–25 February to discuss the future of Antarctic academic cooperation and to announce the re-launch of the International Antarctic Institute (IAI) Secretariat. The event was organized by the University of the Arctic (UArctic) in collaboration with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation.
The meeting was formatted as a pre-event working session aimed at identifying what is needed to strengthen Antarctic academic cooperation ahead of the 5th International Polar Year (IPY) and beyond. In addition to the organizers, other participants included representatives from esteemed institutions involved in Antarctic research from across the globe, creating a knowledge base that spanned from the North to South .
The central announcement of the two-day session was the re-launch of the IAI Secretariat. The IAI was originally established during the 4th International Polar Year as a structure for supporting international academic engagement with Antarctica. Its re-launch signals a renewed commitment to that mission as the polar research community prepares for the next IPY. The Secretariat, earlier hosted by the University of Canterbury, will now be operated by the Ocean University of China, which is a renowned research university known for its strengths in oceanography and fishery sciences, and was the first Chinese university to join UArctic.
Speaking on the importance of running the Secretariat, Professor Houjie Wang, Vice President of Ocean University of China declared: “Ocean University of China hereby pledges to provide solid resources and platform support to ensure the Secretariat operates with high efficiency and professionalism." He listed their three priorities as “activating the polar education network, catalyzing cutting-edge research collaboration, and strengthening the bonds of cultural and academic exchange.”
The pre-event featured speeches from representatives of several institutions. Welcome remarks were delivered by Robert Calcagno, the CEO of the Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation, Sir Frederik Paulsen, Chair of the Board of UArctic, and Professor Gary Wilson, President of SCAR. Dr. Salvatore Aricò, CEO of the International Science Council, presented about the importance of academic freedom, which was followed by a speech from Dr. Jiuxin Shi, Professor at Ocean University of China about university collaboration networks.
Throughout the two days of discussions, speeches, and workshops, participants identified several strategies and goals for the re-launched Institute and for Antarctic academic cooperation more broadly. These included plans for operational structure, discussion of core values, and outlines for strategic partnerships. At the center of these discussions was a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary cooperation amongst a variety of different actors.
The 5th International Polar Year will be from 2032-33, with a goal to address urgent global challenges by advancing polar research. The re-launch of the IAI Secretariat is intended to put collaborative structures in place ahead of that milestone rather than building them in its aftermath.
The pre-event was then followed by the 3rd Monaco Polar Symposium “From Arctic to Antarctic: Enabling the Legacy: Translating Polar Research into Action” 25–27 February 2026.