The 6th China Polar Youth Forum was successfully convened by APECS-China from January 28 to 30, 2026, at Sun Yat-sen University’s Zhuhai Campus. Under the theme “Gathering Youth Wisdom, Shaping the Polar Future,” the event gathered over 300 early-career scientists and graduated students from more than 100 universities and research institutions across China, creating a dynamic platform for exchange, collaboration, and inspiration in the field of polar science.
The 6th China Polar Youth Forum
The forum’s agenda centered on robust parallel sessions and interactive poster presentations, all led by young scholars. A total of 66 oral presentations and 25 poster displays were organized across six thematic areas: Polar Atmosphere and Climate, Polar Ocean and Ecology, Polar Observation and Technology, Cryosphere Change and Impacts, Polar Geology and Engineering, and Polar Policy and Education. These sessions facilitated in-depth discussions on cutting-edge topics including sea ice and ice sheet dynamics, ecological adaptation to climate change, innovative remote sensing technologies, glacier modeling, polar engineering solutions, and science communication strategies. The poster exhibition further encouraged active networking and interdisciplinary dialogue. The forum presented Excellent Presentation Awards to students who delivered exceptional oral and poster presentations, in recognition of their exemplary work.
Awardees of the Excellent Presentation Awards
A significant milestone of the forum was the inauguration of the APECS-China Expert Advisory Committee. Composed of 20 eminent scientists and leaders in polar research, the committee has been established to provide ongoing mentorship, academic guidance, and professional development support to early-career members of APECS-China, thereby strengthening the association’s role in nurturing future polar experts.
The forum not only highlighted the vibrancy and growing capabilities of China’s young polar research community but also reinforced APECS-China’s commitment to fostering academic excellence, and supporting the next generation of scientists. By offering a dedicated venue for knowledge sharing and collaborative networking, the 6th China Polar Youth Forum has made a meaningful contribution to the advancement of polar science and youth capacity building in China and beyond.
