NEWS
2025-12-31
2025 Asian Forum for Polar Sciences (AFoPS) Annual General Meeting Concludes Successfully in Goa, India
Editor: AFoPS Secretariat
The 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Asian Forum for Polar Sciences (AFoPS) was successfully held in Goa, India, September 19-20, hosted by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) of India, the current AFoPS Chair. A total of 41 representatives attended the meeting, including national delegates, coordinators, and polar scientists from the six AFoPS members: China, Japan, South Korea, India, Malaysia, and Thailand, as well as representatives from international polar organizations.
The 2024-2025 period marks the first operational year of AFoPS under the new structure following the successful celebration of its 20th anniversary in 2024, with the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) as standing role of the AFoPS Secretariat and collaborating with the chair, NCPOR. The 2025 AGM featured several forums: the "National Report", the "IPY5-AFoPS Roadmap for Collaborative Endeavours", the "Polar Infrastructure & Logistics Collaboration", and closed-door AFoPS meetings.
Major Achievements
1. IPY5-AFoPS Roadmap for Collaborative Endeavours
Based on the feedback from the IPY 5 Questionnaire initiated by the Secretariat, a dedicated IPY5-AFoPS Roadmap forum was organized at this AGM. Subsequently, the delegates engaged in extensive discussions on how to closely advance the collaborative vision under the AFoPS framework and initiate international cooperation in Asia in preparation for the upcoming IPY-5.
The discussions focused comprehensively on fostering the next generation of polar science leaders in Asia, initiatives for operating Asia's IPY 5 international program, and planning next steps, including collaboration pathways and key measures. A series of outcomes were achieved such as a proposed IPY 5 AFoPS working group for further in-depth discussions, paving the way for the potential of Asia's IPY 5 international program. Additionally, PRIC proposed an education program such as establishing an AFoPS Summer School to cultivate the next generation of polar science leaders in the region.
2. APS cooperations with AFoPS
The cooperation between the journal Advances in Polar Science (APS) and AFoPS was fully discussed. The Authorization is granted to display "APS endorsed by AFoPS", along with the AFoPS Logo on the APS website, print version, and other promotional materials.
During the AGM, the Secretariat reported to the AFoPS Committee on its operational progress in 2025. In aiming to how to develop into a stable hub for comprehensive cooperation in polar affairs and information exchange within Asia, AFoPS committee shared with practical advices and strong supports. Noteworthy, Terms of Reference for the AFoPS Secretariat was adopted on this AGM successfully.