Launch of the Polar Donors Roundtable at UNOC3 in Nice

Philanthropic leaders unite to protect the Arctic and Antarctic

The Polar Donors Roundtable (PDR) was officially launched as part of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) during a dedicated event at the Cryosphere Pavilion, located in the ‘La Baleine’ green zone at the Palais des Expositions in Nice.

Founded by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Albedo Foundation for the Cryosphere, Oceans5, the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation and the Blue Nature Alliance, the Polar Donors Roundtable brings together leading philanthropic institutions with a shared commitment to protecting the polar regions.

As the Arctic and Antarctic warm more than three times faster than the global average, their rapidly changing ecosystems, accelerated loss of ice and cascading global effects – including sea level rise and changing climate systems – demand urgent attention. Yet these critical regions remain largely underfunded in global environmental philanthropy.

The PDR was created in response to a call from the polar community to strengthen philanthropic engagement in the Arctic and Antarctic. It will serve as a collaborative platform to support impactful action, scientific research and policy advocacy.

"I am delighted that we can now take a key step forward together and launch this new initiative, which I am convinced will be a milestone (…) 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." – HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco

Vision and objectives of the Polar Donors Roundtable:

• Knowledge exchange: Facilitate the organisation of regular meetings to share knowledge, lessons learned and emerging opportunities.
• Scientific advice: Provide access to scientific advice from leading organisations and committees on Arctic and Antarctic science.
• Collaborative strategies: Increase the collective impact of donor initiatives and avoid duplication of efforts.
• Awareness and visibility: Raise awareness of polar issues within the philanthropic community and broader environmental networks. 

The launch of the PDR comes at a strategic moment, coinciding with the upcoming Decade of Action for Cryosphere Science (2025–2034) and preparations for the Fifth International Polar Year (2032–2033). These initiatives aim to bridge knowledge gaps and promote global cooperation in the face of ongoing environmental transformations in the polar regions. 

An open invitation

The Polar Donors Roundtable welcomes expressions of interest from philanthropic organisations dedicated to environmental protection, scientific research and community resilience in the polar regions.