The AASCO event took place in Monaco on February 4-5. The two-day event was supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and opened by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco on February 4.
"By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, strengthening cooperation, and embracing innovative research approaches, we can drive forward the solutions needed to safeguard the Arctic and, ultimately, our shared future. For these ambitions to succeed, faced with the forces opposing us, we need unwavering commitment," HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco emphasized.
The aim of the event was to build stronger links between research groups and to contribute to Strategic Arctic Research Planning and support initiatives like International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP) IV’s Arctic Research Planning process, the Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON)-ROADS framework, and preparations for the 5th International Polar Year (2032–33).
With climate change accelerating, the Arctic is a focal point of international scientific inquiry. Research in the region is particularly challenging due to extreme conditions, making long-term comprehensive measurements indispensable. One of the key messages from the AASCO meeting emphasized the critical need for advancing Arctic research infrastructure to support cross-disciplinary studies.
“Comprehensive and long-term atmospheric and environmental measurements are mandatory for quantifying the impacts of climate change and human activities in the Arctic,” states Tuukka Petäjä, Professor at the University of Helsinki’s Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR).
“Future Arctic research must prioritize understanding of land-atmosphere-ocean feedbacks and their global and regional impacts. This includes addressing how Arctic research infrastructure can be developed to meet the complex data needs of such cross-disciplinary work,” says Hanna Lappalainen, Adjunct Professor at INAR and Lead of the UArctic Thematic Network on Arctic Boreal Hub.
AASCO aims to enhance collaboration among Arctic research communities; support Arctic research planning initiatives and contribute to major planning processes; and deliver science-based insights for policymakers and funders.
"Collaboration is everything. Science alone cannot change the world. We need governments, philanthropies, businesses, and communities working together—because the challenges we face are bigger than any one institution or nation. The upcoming International Polar Year and Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences will be a turning point. Let’s make sure we rise to the occasion," commented Olivier Wenden, Vice President & CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
"Dialogue among scientists is essential. AASCO, with support from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the science community, demonstrates the beauty of cooperation, and indeed UArctic, in a time of global fragmentation," concluded Lars Kullerud, UArctic President.
The AASCO discussions and the follow-up work will provide recommendations for several research priority areas such as Arctic Sea Ice and Greenland Ice Sheet dynamics, Short-Lived Climate Forcers (SLCFs), interactions between Arctic processes and the coupled climate system, climate interventions and their implications, Arctic air pollution, pan-Arctic science collaboration including co-production with local and indigenous Arctic communities, and data sharing in Arctic research.
AASCO will also publish a white paper in spring 2025, outlining future research gaps and recommendations based on the discussions in Monaco.
The meeting was the concluding event for the current AASCO project that has been running since 2023 as an extension for the initial AASCO project in 2020-2022. The project is coordinated by the University of Helsinki, and implemented with the UArctic Thematic Network on Arctic Boreal Hub and other international partners.
View the event program and speakers
More information:
Professor Tuukka Petäjä, University of Helsinki, FI
+358 50 415 5278 tuukka.petaja@helsinki.fi
Adjunct Professor Hanna Lappalainen, University of Helsinki, FI
+358 50 434 1710 hanna.k.lappalainen@helsinki.fi
www.atm.helsinki.fi/peex/index.php/aasco/
Original press release on the University of Helsinki webpages