The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP)
About COMNAP
We are an international association, formed in 1988, which brings together our Members - the governmental National Antarctic Programs. Those are the organizations that have responsibility for delivering and supporting scientific research in the Antarctic Treaty Area on behalf of their respective governments.
Our Projects
We facilitate and lead a range of COMNAP projects that support our Membership, that engage the public, and which ensure we are providing best practice advice to the Antarctic community.
Our Expert Groups
COMNAP Member National Antarctic Programs’ people are the experts on a range of Antarctic topics: air operations, science facilitation, health & safety, environmental management & protection, to name only a few. A fundamental aspect of our organization is to support the free exchange of information between these experts. This is done through our Expert Groups.
Sustainability
Sustainability for COMNAP means caring for the environment, supporting our Members to succeed, and fostering strong community relationships while contributing towards a positive, enduring Antarctic future within the Antarctic Treaty System.
Our Publications
Over the years, we have produced a range of informative brochures, booklets, books, and even the Antarctic Station game. Some of our publications provide guidance to our Members on things like waste management, critical technologies, preventing the introduction of non-native species into the Antarctic environment and how to respond to oil spills.
News & Events
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Antarctic Research Season Underway
1 October 2024
National Antarctic Programs operating in the Ross Sea Region, the Peninsula and in East Antarctica are sending their Antarctic summer season 2024/25 personnel south to begin busy research campaigns. Those who have spent the winter in Antarctica will also be completing their time on the ice and will soon be heading north after a successful winter-over.
The National Antarctic Programs have ambitious plans for science and science support, modernization projects, land traverse, and marine and air-supported activities and are contributing to our understanding of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Watch this video just released by the Australian Antarctic Division as their season gets underway.
We wish all COMNAP Members' expeditioners a safe, successful and enjoyable research season 2024/25.
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Joint COMNAP/SCAR Mini-Symposium
19 August 2024
On Monday 19 August 2024, COMNAP held a joint mini-symposium during the SCAR Open Science Conference, in Pucón, Chile.
The mini-symposium, entitled “A Promising Future for Antarctic Research: Facilitation of circumpolar initiatives through science and science support partnerships” was co-chaired by Antonio Quesada, COMNAP Chair, and Deneb Karentz, SCAR Vice President Science.
This mini-symposium explored the complex nature of establishing the framework for providing logistics for circumpolar research programs and it explored the critical science/science support nexus that enables circumpolar research collaborations.
For more information visit the meeting webpage.
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COMNAP AGM 36 (2024)
14 - 16 August 2024
The COMNAP AGM 36 (2024) was convened as an in-person meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from Wednesday 14 August through Friday 16 August 2024.
National Antarctic programs exchanged pre-season information for Antarctic research season 2024/2025 in the six Regional Breakout Group Sessions.
COMNAP Member programs freely exchanged and further developed their expertise during topical Expert Group Forums and two Workshops. The topics of air operations, science facilitation, marine platforms, environmental protection, critical technologies, training, diversity & inclusivity, and human biology & medicine, were part of the AGM schedule.
You can read the communique here.
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COMNAP Secretariat Staff visit the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat
12 August 2024
While being in Buenos Aires in advance of the COMNAP AGM, Andrea Colombo, Deputy Director of the COMNAP Secretariat, met with Albert Lluberas, Antarctic Treaty Secretariat Executive Secretary, and the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat team for a very fruitful day exploring similarities between the two Secretariats and further improving exchange of information to avoid duplications when requesting information to our Members.