With the world’s eyes on ocean conservation at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, an urgent call to action for the polar regions has taken place. On Monday 10th June, the Polar Donors Roundtable (PDR) was officially launched at the Cryosphere Pavilion inside the Green Zone of ‘La Baleine’, bringing together some of the world’s most influential philanthropic leaders in a bold new alliance to protect the Arctic and Antarctic.
Spearheaded by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation alongside the Albédo Foundation for the Cryosphere, Oceans5, the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, and the Blue Nature Alliance, the new platform responds directly to increasing alarm over the accelerating ice melt and climate destabilisation occurring in polar regions. The initiative aims to fill a dangerous funding gap in polar environmental action, with the Arctic and Antarctic warming more than three times faster than the global average.
“We can now take a key step forward together and launch this new initiative, which I am convinced will be a milestone,” said Prince Albert II of Monaco at the launch. “A platform created by and for donors — donors ready to commit resources and act now, and eager to do so in the most impactful way.”
Driving Collaboration, Science and Visibility
The Polar Donors Roundtable will serve as a collaborative platform, designed to support high-impact philanthropic action in the polar regions. Its pillars include knowledge exchange, scientific guidance, coordinated strategies and increased visibility for polar issues within global environmental circles.
Backed by a scientific advisory board and designed to amplify collective impact, the Roundtable will help donors avoid duplicating efforts while supporting transformative, data-driven solutions for the world’s most vulnerable climates.
A Timely Initiative with Global Vision
The launch of the PDR comes at a critical juncture, just ahead of the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034) and preparations for the 5th International Polar Year (2032–2033). Both major global initiatives aim to expand understanding of the cryosphere and galvanise international cooperation in response to the climate emergency.
Organisations interested in contributing to the preservation of the polar regions—through scientific research, environmental protection or community resilience—are invited to join the Roundtable and strengthen this growing philanthropic movement.
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Photo: Prince Albert II with the Polar Roundtable. Photo source: FPA2