Bringing southern scientific leadership to the global polar agenda

The Arctic Circle Forum – From Glaciers to Seas took place on March 3-4, 2026 at the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche in Rome, bringing together global leaders and experts in science, diplomacy, education, and security. The opening plenary featured distinguished speakers including Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of the Arctic Circle and former President of Iceland (1996-2016); Anna Maria Bernini, Italy’s Minister of University and Research; H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco; and senior foreign affairs officials from Italy, Finland, Greenland, Canada, and Norway.

IANAS fosters dialogue linking polar science, diplomacy, and global cooperation

Within this high‑level setting, IANAS organized the session “Only One World: Towards a Polar Dialogue that Includes the South”, held on March 4. The session gathered contributions from Juan Cristina, virologist and president of the Academia Nacional de Ciencias del Uruguay; Jefferson Simões, leading Brazilian glaciologist and member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences; Giuliana Panieri, Italian polar scientist with long-standing work in Arctic and Antarctic research; Dermot Antoniades, Canadian researcher specializing in polar and environmental studies; and Katrín Jakobsdóttir, former Prime Minister of Iceland (2017-2024).

During the discussion held in the session, the indivisibility of the planet’s polar systems and the essential role of the Southern Hemisphere, particularly Antarctica, in understanding global environmental change were emphasized. Discussions focused on the scientific and geopolitical relevance of the Antarctic region, the importance of strengthening research collaboration between northern and southern institutions, and the need to integrate data, knowledge, and experience from both poles. Participants highlighted the growing contributions of countries engaged in Antarctic research and the value of cooperative scientific frameworks for addressing shared climate challenges.

The session also underscored the responsibility of science academies to foster dialogue across regions and disciplines. By bringing Southern perspectives into a traditionally Arctic‑centered conversation, IANAS reinforced the message that sustainable stewardship of polar environments requires a global, inclusive approach. In her closing remarks, Katrín Jakobsdóttir praised the academic community’s role in fostering international collaboration and congratulated IANAS for elevating Southern perspectives in polar discussions.