The Emirates Polar Program Strengthens International Polar Dialogue at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

The Emirates Polar Program and Arctic Circle have strengthened their long-standing collaboration through a new partnership agreement signed during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026.

The agreement reinforces shared efforts to advance international dialogue and scientific cooperation on climate change, with a focus on the Arctic and other critical cryospheric regions. It builds on the UAE’s continued commitment to climate action, science diplomacy, and fostering global collaboration to address environmental challenges.

Through this partnership, the Emirates Polar Program and Arctic Circle will leverage the Arctic Circle global platforms to expand scientific cooperation, strengthen international research networks, and support capacity-building initiatives. The collaboration also aims to co-organise scientific forums and public engagement activities to develop actionable solutions for the world’s most climate-sensitive regions.

The timing of the agreement aligns with growing global momentum around cryospheric research, following the United Nations’ designation of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and the launch of the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034). It also builds on previous joint efforts, including contributions to global climate discussions at COP28 and the launch of the Third Pole Process.

During Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026, the Emirates Polar Program also hosted international partners and led two expert roundtables exploring governance in extreme domains. Discussions focused on emerging issues including geo-engineering governance and the Arctic as a developing arena for space-related activity, examining how governance frameworks can evolve to responsibly manage innovation in complex and fragile environments.

The roundtables brought together a range of international and national stakeholders from scientific, academic, and policy communities, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a convening platform for global dialogue on climate, science, and governance. The UAE has been a collaborative partner of Arctic Circle since 2013. This renewed agreement reflects a shared commitment to advancing scientific cooperation and international dialogue in response to accelerating global climate change.