The 13th International Workshop on Long-Term Changes and Trends in the Atmosphere (TRENDS2026) was successfully held in Beijing from May 18-22, 2026. Organized by the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGGCAS), the workshop was co-hosted by the National Space Science Center, Wuhan University, and the University of Science and Technology of China. The event received sponsorship from multiple international organizations including the International Meridian Circle Program, the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy, the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences, the International Commission on the Middle Atmosphere, and the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics.
TRENDS2026 provided a high-level academic exchange platform bringing together global researchers to explore cutting-edge topics related to the evolution of the middle and upper atmosphere over decadal and longer timescales, fostering academic innovation and international collaboration.
The workshop drew over 80 scholars, early-career researchers, and students from more than 30 institutions across 15 countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and Canada. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on key scientific issues related to long-term trends in the middle and upper atmosphere and ionospheric space environment, their underlying mechanisms, and potential impacts.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Dr. YUE Xinan from IGGCAS. Dr. Ana Georgina Elías, researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) and professor at the National University of Tucumán, Argentina, delivered opening remarks. She reviewed the history of the workshop series and expressed gratitude to supporting institutions. Professor WAN Bo, Deputy Director of IGGCAS, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the institute's long-standing commitment to advancing Earth sciences, fostering disciplinary innovation, and deepening multilateral international research cooperation.
During the workshop, nearly 100 academic presentations covered topics including long-term trends in the thermosphere and ionosphere, mesospheric dynamics changes, stratospheric ozone variations, atmospheric gravity wave trends, and solar activity impacts on the atmosphere. A poster session provided young researchers with a platform to present their findings. Domestic students actively participated in discussions, interacting directly with international scholars—broadening their research perspectives and enhancing their international communication skills.
In the closing remarks, Dr. Jan Laštovička from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences summarized key research progress and led discussions on future directions, proposing priorities for follow-up work.
Group photo of participants at TRENDS2026
(Contributed by the Key Laboratory of Planetary Sciences and Frontier Technology)
