05/03/2026
Scientists, ministers, institutional representatives and members of civil society from over 40 countries gathered for two days in Rome, at the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), to discuss the future of polar regions through research, geopolitics, and scientific diplomacy
Science, diplomacy, security, education, and research: these are the five key themes of the two-day Arctic Circle Rome Forum – Polar Dialogue, which for the first time in Italy brought together, at the headquarters of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), the leading voices in polar research along with representatives of governments and institutions, industry, Indigenous communities, and civil society from over 40 countries, with the goal of discussing the future of the polar regions.
The Forum was organized by Arctic Circle in collaboration with the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), and with the involvement of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.
At the heart of the international dialogue were the complex scientific and geopolitical challenges facing the Arctic, Antarctica, and the Himalayan Third Pole. A wide range of issues was discussed: from climate change to advanced technologies for observing, monitoring, and adapting to extreme environments; from new shipping routes to the question of mineral resources; from international security to scientific diplomacy.
“The Arctic and the polar regions are now at the center of the geopolitical chessboard. The Rome Forum - Polar Dialogue therefore comes at a historic time” said Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chair of Arctic Circle.
“This is the first time a Polar Summit is being held in Italy. We are deeply proud of it. It demonstrates that the international scientific community recognizes the value of Italian Arctic research, which has been a leading presence in the Arctic for 50 years,” said the Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, at the opening of the first plenary session. “The Arctic and the polar regions are places where science becomes cooperation. And in such a complex geopolitical moment, research and science prove to be the perfect bridge between the diplomacy of a responsible foreign policy and a defense that ensures security for all of us.”
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated: “The Arctic is no longer a periphery; it is a central region, including for our development, for the future of our research, and for our own security. This is why we have launched the new Italian Strategic Document on the Arctic: we want to strengthen Italy’s role as an increasingly recognized partner within the community of Arctic peoples, contributing to the region’s stability and wellbeing, and reinforcing the continent’s north–south axis, from the Arctic to the Mediterranean. With more research projects and more Italian companies active in the area, we can make the Arctic more prosperous and consolidate the transatlantic relationship.”
Isabella Rauti, Undersecretary of Defence with responsibility for the Arctic, SubArctic and Antarctic, stated: “The Arctic is a strategic fulcrum and a shared responsibility; a scenario where security, climate change, new commercial routes and conflicting global interests intersect. It is essential to preserve stability, cooperation, and respect for international law.”
The President of the CNR, Andrea Lenzi, stated at the conclusion of the event: “It has been an intense and highly valuable two days for our country, which for the first time hosted the Arctic Circle Forum in Rome, at the headquarters of the National Research Council. It was an event of exceptional scientific and institutional significance, featuring 40 parallel thematic sessions, 2 plenary sessions, and more than 500 participants among researchers and experts from different disciplinary fields. The Arctic concerns all of us closely: it is a natural laboratory that helps us understand climate change, environmental balances, and the dynamics that directly influence our societies. Continuing to invest in polar research means believing in our ability to anticipate risks, protect ecosystems, and safeguard future generations. As a research institution, the CNR stands alongside the Italian Government in implementing the National Arctic Strategy, with the goal of strengthening Italy’s role in international research and ensuring that science can continue to provide the knowledge, tools, and most innovative solutions needed to face the challenges ahead.”
“Polar research is a global challenge: it requires shared infrastructures, advanced technologies, and a scientific community capable of working with vision and responsibility,” said Francesco Petracchini, Director of the CNR Department of Earth System Science and Environmental Technologies. “The CNR has been active in the Arctic for decades, where it manages the Dirigibile Italia station in Svalbard, a key reference point for long-term climate measurements. The CNR also plays a leading role in other extreme regions of the planet, from Antarctica to the Himalayas, through interdisciplinary collaborations that transcend national borders and that today, more than ever, are crucial to addressing the transformations taking place on our planet.”
“Studying the Arctic today means looking directly at the future of our planet. The Arctic region is warming more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, and 2025 recorded new lows in seaice extent, both in winter and in summer. If this trend does not stop, within a few decades the Arctic could become a blue ocean in summer, almost entirely icefree,” said Giuliana Panieri, Director of the CNR Institute of Polar Sciences, who coordinated the scientific program of the event. “This would alter currents, climate, and ecosystems worldwide. The key to understanding these changes and addressing this global challenge is a shared and sustained scientific commitment, supported by increased investments in research and infrastructure.”
At the conclusion of the Rome Forum, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences is hosting a seminar this morning, chaired by Cardinal Turkson, during which the results and conclusions of the international meeting will be presented.
Arctic Circle is the largest international network dedicated to dialogue and cooperation on Arctic issues. It is an open platform bringing together government representatives, organizations, companies, the scientific community, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders.
Ufficio stampa:
Cecilia Migali
Cnr Press Office
cecilia.migali@cnr.it
Responsabile Unità Ufficio stampa:
Emanuele Guerrini
emanuele.guerrini@cnr.it
ufficiostampa@cnr.it
06 4993 3383
Vedi anche:
- More about "Arctic Circle Rome Forum - Polar Dialogue. From Glaciers to Seas"
- Italia protagonista nel dialogo sui Poli (Video Cnr WebTv del 12/3/2026, CnrWeb.tv)
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