An expert delegation attended the Climate and Cryosphere Science Conference in Wellington, New Zealand, from February 9 to 12, 2026. Led by Prof. Yao, the delegation comprised Third Pole research experts including Baosheng An, Ninglian Wang, Shiyin Liu, Keqin Duan, Jing Gao, Weicai Wang, and Meilin Zhu.
Spotlight on the TPGE Program
In his plenary session focusing on "Science to Solutions", Prof Yao delivered a lecture where he shared the scientific vision and implementation pathways of a new scientific program—Third Pole Glaciers and Earth system consequences (TPGE). Prof. Yao explained that TPGE was initiated as China's commitment to global ecological and environmental protection, and will be an integral component of the United Nations' Cryosphere Science Action Decade. He envisions enhanced application of artificial intelligence in cryospheric science, leveraging new technologies to drive novel discoveries and steer the field towards intelligent research. TPGE will also strengthen cutting-edge fundamental research to deeply understand water security issues in the context of climate change, and further expand international cooperation opportunities in Asian Water Tower research.
Prof. Tandong Yao prensenting in the plenary session
Multifaceted Academic Presentations
All delegation members also delivered presentations. In the session focusing on 'Mountain Cryosphere', Prof. Jing Gao and Keqin Duan delivered reports on atmospheric water cycle processes over the Third Pole and future projections of glacial changes, respectively. In the session on 'Snow', Prof. Ninglian Wang shared new findings on the snowline drifting of Third Pole glaciers, and on the session on 'Hazards and Infrastructure', Prof. Weicai Wang provided a detailed presentation on the mechanisms, risk assessment, and monitoring/early warning systems for glacial lake outburst flood hazards in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.
During the poster sessions, Prof. Baosheng An showcased progress in Earth system observatory construction in selected basins within the TPGE Program, while Prof. Meilin Zhu presented research findings on extreme glacier mass loss in the southern Plateau.
Group photo of the delegation from the Big Science Center to the conference
The participation of this delegation organized by the Big Science Center helped elevate the visibility of the TPGE Program on the world stage. The Center will build on previous achievements and effort, and continue promoting TPGE as an international scientific collaboration platform contributing to UN's Cryosphere Science Action Decade.
