The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP)
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.