Written by
Alexandra Middleton, Paul Arthur Berkman, Susana Hancock, Kamrul Hossain, Zia Madani and Nicholas Parlato
Notably, experts participated in this webinar from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris, the United Nations Headquarters in New York City and the Arctic Science Summit Week / 4th International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV) in Boulder, Colorado, highlighting the global collaboration and significance of this event. The webinar was co-organized by the University of the Arctic (UArctic) and Global Health Economics and Sustainability (GHES) and watched live by nearly 20,000 viewers worldwide.
The recording of the webinar is available here.
Professor Paul Arthur Berkman opened the webinar by emphasizing the importance of looking ahead to the fifth International Polar Year in 2032-2033. He highlighted that this event is hosted by the Next Generation Science Diplomat Committee and the University of the Arctic's Thematic Network on Science Diplomacy. Prof. Berkman stressed the significance of viewing the world from a planetary perspective, noting that 70% of the Earth's system lies beyond national boundaries, including international spaces like the high seas, deep sea, Antarctica, and outer space.
He underscored the need to balance national and common interests across generations, especially as next-generation leaders will play a crucial role in the 21st century.
Professor Berkman also provided historical context, mentioning that the International Polar Year is the oldest continuous climate research program, initiated in 1882-1883 intentionally during a Solar Maximum following the Little Ice Age. He also introduced the temporal context of the first World Day for Glaciers on 21 March 2025 during the International Year for Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 early in the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, 2025-2034 - as a ‘Time Accordion Puzzle’ that can be explored with other International Day-Year-Decade synergies for humanity to operate across a ‘continuum of urgencies’ during the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, 2024-2033.
Speaker Contributions
Dr. Alexandra Middleton (UNESCO Headquarters Paris)
Dr. Alexandra Middleton framed the discussion around the global importance of glaciers, the interconnectedness of water cycles and the pressing need for immediate climate action. She called for urgent and effective cutting of greenhouse gas emissions, national adaptation plans, and transboundary cooperation to save glaciers. Dr. Middleton emphasized the need to bridge the gap between science and policy to ensure decisions are based on the best available evidence. She concluded by urging participants to work together across borders and disciplines to protect these precious resources for future generations.
Dr. Susana Hancock (UN Headquarters, New York)
Susana Hancock, the Global Mountains Director with ICCI, a co-chair for the policy task force for the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, and the 2022-2023 president of the Association for Polar Early Career Scientists, provided an update from the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Whereas the parallel Paris event prioritized civil society and planning with UNESCO and WMO, the New York event focused on high-level panels and collaborative dialogues with heads of the UN, governments and scientific experts. that the Given the parallel recognition of World Water Day by the UN Headquarters and the deep interconnection between glaciers and water, Susana also discussed the launch of UNESCO’s World Water Development Report 2025 as well as the importance of developing awareness about the urgency of glacial loss and its connection to natural disasters and water insecurity. Dr. Hancock concluded by outlining the preparation for the upcoming International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, which will focus on adaptation and resilience, and the presentation of the Conference outcomes at the UN General Assembly back in New York next September.
Dr. Kamrul Hossain
Dr. Hossain provided insights into the Third Pole region, explaining its significance as the "Asian Water Tower" supporting approximately 2 billion people. He detailed the dramatic environmental changes threatening this crucial ecosystem, noting that over 80% of glaciers in the Tibetan Plateau have retreated since the 1950s, with potential catastrophic consequences for regional water, food, and ecological systems. Dr. Hossain stressed the importance of incorporating Indigenous Knowledge and alternative systems of knowledge into decision-making processes to develop effective climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Dr. Zia Madani
Dr. Madani explored the legal and governance complexities surrounding glacial systems, highlighting the challenges in existing legal structures, particularly Article 234 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which becomes increasingly complicated as ice coverage diminishes. Discussing the delicate distinction yet intertwined nature of international law of the sea and international water law in ice-covered regions like the Arctic, Dr. Madani pointed out that the retreat of glaciers blurs the boundaries between terrestrial and oceanic systems, impacting both freshwater and marine environments, hence adding layers of complexity to the interactions between these two areas of law. He also examined the international law frameworks and the intricate connections between water, energy, and food (WEF) systems and their security in regions experiencing significant environmental transformation. As a result, we need a comprehensive systems approach to governance that considers the interconnectedness of WEF resources within a transboundary context in the Arctic.
Nicholas Parlato
Mr. Parlato offered a nuanced view of glacier preservation, critically examining proposed climate interventions and emphasizing the importance of Indigenous Knowledge in understanding glacial systems beyond purely scientific metrics. He discussed emerging legal approaches like "rights of nature", which have been applied to glacial landscapes in the Himalayas, and challenged technological interventions known as geoengineering. Mr. Parlato emphasized that we should view the Earth as a network of social relations and sentient agents of change, rather than as a machine, a crucial perspective for developing sustainable and respectful approaches to environmental stewardship.
Looking Forward to the International Polar Year
Concluding the webinar Prof. Berkman synthesized the discussion, emphasizing the global responsibility to address planetary challenges that transcend national boundaries and highlighting the interconnected nature of Earth's systems. He reflected on the century-and-a-half-long scientific dialogue about global climate research, positioning the current efforts within a broader historical context.
The webinar reinforced the significance of the upcoming 5th International Polar Year as a crucial opportunity for global scientific collaboration. By integrating diverse perspectives—from legal frameworks to Indigenous Knowledge—the event demonstrated the complex, multidisciplinary approach required to address global climate challenges.
The dialogue underscored a fundamental message: glacier preservation is not just an environmental issue, but a critical challenge for human civilization, requiring immediate, coordinated, and innovative global action.