Save the Date · New York Climate Week
The Polar Oceans Challenge
Monday 21 September 2026 · 4:30 – 6:00 PM
followed by a reception (by invitation only)
The Explorers Club · est. 1904
A Joint Event · The Explorers Club New York & Mission Neptune
Dear Friends,
As world leaders gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly and NYC Climate Week, The Explorers Club New York and Mission Neptune are pleased to co-host their first official event, marking the beginning of a new partnership dedicated to advancing Ocean exploration, science and public engagement. Together, they will convene a unique evening focused on one of the defining challenges of our century:
The Polar Oceans
From the rapidly changing Arctic to the fragile ecosystems of Antarctica, the Polar Oceans are reshaping our understanding of climate, biodiversity and the future of our planet. Yet many of the scientific questions — and the governance decisions they demand — remain unanswered.
Hosted at the historic Explorers Club, this exclusive gathering will bring together explorers, scientists, diplomats, philanthropists and public leaders around one common conviction: that scientific exploration must increasingly serve global public policy.
Programme
Featured Speakers
Dr. Heïdi SevestreGlaciologist | AMAP (Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme) Deputy Secretary
→ View profile
Live at Sea
Tara Polaris I — Romain Troublé, Executive Director of Tara Ocean Foundation, and a Team Representative
Neptune-Endorsed Expedition | Central Arctic Ocean | July 2026 – November 2027
Schedule
The Evening at a Glance
- 4:30 PM
Arrival of Invitees
Arrival of guests at the Clark Room at the Explorers Club
- 4:45 PM
Welcome by The Explorers Club
Welcome remarks by President Barbara Doran and Alex More, Chair New York Climate Week — formal launch of the strategic partnership with Mission Neptune
- 4:55 PM
Opening Remarks — Mission Neptune
Ashok Adicéam, Executive Director
- 5:05 PM
Keynote Address
Prof. Antje Boetius
- 5:15 PM
In Dialogue: Preparing the Next Generation
Prof. Antje Boetius · Dr. Guillaume Liniger
- 5:30 PM
In the Arctic: Tara Polaris in Expedition
Romain Troublé and the Tara team, live from the Arctic!
- 5:40 PM
Under Antarctica
Dr. Heïdi Sevestre
- 5:50 PM
Closing Remarks
High Level Closing and New York Authorities
- 6:00 PM
Mission Neptune × The Explorers Club Reception
Vote of thanks — François Houllier, President and CEO of IFREMER, Co-President of the Board of Mission Neptune
- 7:00 PM
End of Event
Event Details
Monday, 21 September 2026
4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
The Explorers Club
46 East 70th Street, New York
Attendance by invitation and registration only.
Capacity is limited to 100.
We would be delighted to welcome you.
If you would like to attend, please let us know by expressing your interest below.
Partners & Supporters
Founding Partners of Mission Neptune
Mission Partners
Global Ocean Partners
Mission Neptune supports the operational deployment of OceanEye, within the European Ocean Pact, in partnership with GOOS and Mercator Ocean International.
Institutional Partners
