Stating that all preparations for the Turkish Antarctic Science Base have been completed, Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır said: “The environmental impact assessment studies have been successfully carried out. Now, hopefully, we will build this base in the coming period.” he said.
Kacır made a statement to AA correspondent at the photo exhibition “Revealing Synergy: A Joint Journey to Antarctica” opened by the Chilean Embassy in Ankara on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.
Minister Kacır said that Chile is one of the countries with which Türkiye has the strongest cooperation in polar research.
Stating that they sent researchers to Chile for the first time on Antarctic expeditions due to its geographical location, Kacır said: “They travel from Chile to Antarctica. At the same time, Chile is a country with research bases in Antarctica, and our researchers benefit from these research bases. Likewise, Chilean researchers take part in our science expeditions to both Antarctica and the Arctic. This allows scientists from both countries to conduct joint studies.” he said.
Kacır explained that today they are at a very beautiful exhibition where this entire joint journey is presented and photos of the work done in Antarctica are exhibited, and he thanked the Chilean Embassy in Ankara for organizing it.
Emphasizing that their work in Antarctica and the Arctic has strategic value, Kacır said that these issues are very valuable in the field of science diplomacy and that Türkiye is strengthening its global presence in this field every year.
The application for membership as a consultant has been submitted
Stating that they completed the 10th Antarctic Science Expedition and conducted five Arctic Science Expeditions this year, Kacır emphasized that all of these studies were carried out under the patronage of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and under the coordination of TÜBİTAK Polar Research Institute.
Stating that with these studies they have also brought their scientific depth to a higher level, Kacır continued as follows:
“Antarctica and the Arctic are actually geographies that are the laboratory of the world. They are geographies with climatic conditions and living conditions that are not found in other regions of the world. Therefore, our scientists have the opportunity to conduct research in these regions in many different areas, from climate change to medicine. Our goal is to build a Turkish Antarctic science base, making this permanent. Hopefully we will do this project as part of our industrial and technology strategy goals for 2030 implement. We have completed all preparations for this base.
Environmental impact assessment studies have been successfully carried out. Now we hope that we can build this base in the coming period. Another important diplomatic step for us is obtaining the status of a consultative country in the Antarctic Treaty Council. This council currently has 29 non-advisory members. With all our scientific studies and contributions to the international scientific literature, we have completed serious preparations for membership as an advisory member of the Antarctic Treaty Council and submitted our application this year. “This decision will be made at the end of May.”
Research is getting stronger every year
Pointing out that they have good communication with all member countries, Kacır said that Türkiye continues to be the strongest promoter and supporter of peace, stability and common efforts for the benefit of humanity at every table where it is represented.
Emphasizing that Türkiye's recent achievements in global diplomacy are appreciated by the whole world, Kacır said:
“I hope that the work that our scientists will do in the future will be appreciated at a much higher level by future generations, perhaps 50 or 100 years later, and that with all these steps, polar research studies will become stronger every year.”
As the Ministry of Industry and Technology, we will continue to strongly support these studies, especially through TUBITAK. We are currently working with many countries. We host scientists from many countries on our own science expeditions. At the same time, Turkish scientists began their first research decades ago by taking part in expeditions from other countries. But of course, especially since 2017, Türkiye has shown a significantly stronger presence by conducting its own scientific expeditions.
So far these studies have produced very qualified results. In fact, through these researches, more than two hundred publications and scholarly publications have been added to world literature. Our scientists have had completely different experiences. “We will continue to strengthen our international cooperation year after year in the coming period.”
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