The success of the first joint scientific mission for the UAE to the Antarctic

The first joint mission of the UAE with the Bulgarian Institute of Antarctic Research succeeded in completing its first scientific mission to Antarctica.

This pioneering achievement reflects the UAE’s steadfast commitment to developing global scientific research, strengthening international partnerships in meteorological and climate science, and effective contribution to global efforts to meet climate challenges.

The mission witnessed the two Emirati experts specializing in meteorological and seismology with an arduous scientific trip to one of the harshest environments on the face of the earth, as their task included the installation of two advanced weather and earthquake stations to collect vital data on weather activities and earthquakes in the Antarctic continent.

It is expected that these stations will contribute greatly to enhancing the accuracy of the numerical models of weather expectations and earthquakes, which enhances the scientific understanding of environmental conditions in this vital region.

Maryam bint Mohammed Al -Muhairi, head of the UAE Al Qutbi Program and head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court, said that we are very proud of the work that our local scientists on the Antarctica continued, and that their return to the homeland represents a great achievement in exploring science for the benefit of the UAE and highlights the strength of international cooperation in strengthening Our common understanding of our climate.

She added that this joint mission reflects the commitment to scientific diplomacy through the new polar program and enhances partnership with international research societies, expressing its aspiration for the participation of our local scientists in future scientific tasks, whether in the Antarctica or in the Arctic.
Experts underwent comprehensive medical examinations before the mission, including strict physical tests to ensure their full willingness to face the harsh conditions in the Antarctica.

Despite frozen temperatures, strong winds, and complete isolation, the team has enables important research on climate change, installing advanced devices to monitor air phenomena, study the effects of melting ice at sea high, and collect air data to examine the impact of the polar climate on patterns World weather.

In addition to the task of collecting important scientific data, the mission has been completely documented using the latest virtual reality technologies, providing an interactive experience that allows viewers to follow the task details, including installing two important stations: air meteorological station for measuring climate data and a seismic monitoring station to monitor seismic activities.

This experience highlights the importance of discoveries that have been achieved and highlights the challenges faced by the team in a harsh environment and how to overcome them, which enhances our understanding of climate change and natural phenomena in the polar region.

For his part, Dr. Abdullah Al -Mandous, Director General of the National Meteorological Center and President of the World Meteorological Organization, praised the success of this task, saying that this scientific mission to the Antarctica is a great step towards strengthening the leadership of the UAE in the field of scientific research for meteorology and climate science at the global level Our cooperation with the Bulgarian Antarctic Research Institute reflects our commitment to promoting international scientific cooperation and developing innovative solutions to face climate challenges.

He added that the success of our team in installing air monitoring and earthquake stations in a remote and difficult environment is evidence of the experience and efficiency of our national cadres, and that the data collected during this task will greatly help in improving the accuracy of weather forecasts and enhancing the ability to face climate change.

He expressed his aspiration for further progress in research projects and enhancing international scientific cooperation to support global efforts to combat climate change.
The UAE’s investment in such ambitious research missions confirms its position as an active force in the global efforts to combat climate change, and its continuous commitment to developing solutions based on scientific research to ensure a sustainable future for future generations, as this scientific mission represents a decisive step towards achieving the strategic goals of the UAE in expanding the scope International scientific cooperation and effectively contribute to global efforts to enhance the ability to adapt to climate change.


Through the leadership of such ambitious projects, the UAE continues to consolidate its commitment to environmental sustainability and its endeavor to play a pivotal role in scientific research that aims to understand and address climate changes in the world.

The UAE continues to enhance its position as a head of innovation in the fields of meteorology and climate sciences, which contributes to finding effective solutions to face environmental challenges, and these efforts also reflect the close coordination between local and international institutions to achieve sustainable development goals.