Belarus applied for consultative status in Antarctic Treaty
Belarus expects to receive consultative status in the Antarctic Treaty – as stated by the Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences, Vladimir Gusakov, at today’s meeting of President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko with scientists and participants of Belarusian Antarctic expeditions
Mr. Gusakov informed on the organisation of expeditionary activities and the implementation of scientific research in Antarctica, “With your direct support, Aleksandr Grigorievich, Belarus started its journey to explore Antarctica in 2006. The National Academy of Sciences was named responsible for fulfilling obligations under the Antarctic Treaty. Since 2007, sixteen seasonal Belarusian Antarctic expeditions have been conducted, and the 17th one is currently being prepared.”
According to Mr. Gusakov, about 70 permanent and seasonal stations of three dozen states are located in Antarctica at present, and the Belarusian Gora [Mountain] Vechernaya is among them. “By now, 57 countries have joined the Antarctic Treaty, of which only 29 have consultative status (the right to vote in decision-making). Our country is an associate member of the treaty yet, but we hope to also receive the status of a consultative party in the near future. Belarus has applied for this status, and the decision is expected to be made in 2025 in Italy,” the scientist said.
Mr. Gusakov added that Belarus is also a member of a number of international organisations engaged into the exploration of Antarctica. In particular, it is a full member of the Council of Managers of the National Antarctic Programmes, an associate member of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, and a full member of the Dronning Maud Land Air Network Project.
Belarus has concluded 14 agreements on scientific and technical co-operation in Antarctica with governments and organisations from nine countries (Russia, Bulgaria, Turkiye, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, Finland, Germany, and Ukraine). An agreement was also signed between the Government of Belarus and the Government of the Russian Federation on co-operation in Antarctica. Cargo and personnel of Belarusian expeditions are delivered to Antarctica annually with the help of Russian naval vessels, and mutual exchange of scientific personnel is regularly carried out.
“The membership of the Republic of Belarus in the international communities for the exploration and development of Antarctica makes it possible to position our country favourably as a full-fledged partner of high-tech countries making a significant contribution to the exploration of this continent,” Mr. Gusakov stressed.
