Press releases

MINSK, 8 August (BelTA) – Belarusian and Russian polar explorers will carry out a joint research project during the 11^th Belarusian Antarctic expedition in 2018-2019, Alexander Klepikov, head of the Russian Antarctic expedition, Deputy Director of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, said at a meeting with senior officials of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) on 8 August, BelTA learned from the NASB press service.

“A Russian scientist will be sent to the Belarusian polar station for 1.5-2 months to carry out a joint research project related to climate change,” Alexander Klepikov said. The Belarus-Russia project will focus on albedo (the measure of the diffuse reflection of solar radiation) of the underlying surface of Antarctica. Belarusian and Russian measuring devices will be used during the research.

Chairman of the Presidium of the NASB Vladimir Gusakov noted that Belarus and Russia are building strategic partnership in Antarctica. A corresponding cooperation agreement was signed. “Our plans for consolidating our positions in Antarctica are based on long-term cooperation and equitable partnership with Russia. We count on professional and friendly support on the part of Russian specialists. We should cooperate and help each other,” he added.

A delegation of the Russian Antarctic expedition is on a visit to the NASB on 7-8 August. The parties are reviewing progress in implementing the Antarctica cooperation agreement between the governments of Belarus and Russia in 2017-2018. They also discuss plans for academic and logistic cooperation in 2018-2019, including within the framework of the 11^th Belarusian Antarctic expedition and the 64^th Russian Antarctic expedition. The Russian delegation took part in the extended-participation session of Belarus’ interdepartmental commission for Antarctica and the working meeting of the bilateral working group.