The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to extend the State Targeted Scientific and Technical Program of Research in the Antarctic for another two years - until the end of 2027. It was announced by the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ukrainian News agency reports.
"The decision makes it possible to maintain the continuity and sustainability of Ukrainian polar research and the stable presence of the state in one of the key regions of global science. The program covers the work of Antarctic expeditions, the activities of the Akademik Vernadsky station and the use of the Noosphere research vessel," the statement said.
The Akademik Vernadsky station is one of the key points of long-term climatic, atmospheric and geomagnetic observations in the Antarctic. These data are part of international scientific arrays and are used to analyze climate change, forecast weather processes and conduct applied research.
It is noted that international cooperation is an important component of the program. In the current Antarctic season, the Noosphere vessel is working in partnership with scientific teams from the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, the Czech Republic, Mexico and Colombia. Such interaction strengthens Ukraine's role in the international scientific community and is an effective tool of scientific diplomacy.
The Ministry of Education and Science notes that the continuation of the program allows preserving the scientific heritage, data and investments of the state in polar research even in times of war.
After the war is over, the government plans to prepare and adopt a new ten-year program of polar research, significantly expanded compared to the current one.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, in December, the Ukrainian icebreaker Noosphere went beyond the Arctic Circle for the first time.
In the hailstorm, Ukrainian scientists also recorded a temperature anomaly in the Antarctic.
In 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers allocated UAH 245 million to purchase an icebreaker for Antarctic expeditions, which was expected to work for at least 20 years.
Ukraine is one of 30 countries with year-round stations in Antarctica.
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