Following the send-off ceremony held at Istanbul Airport for the delegation of the 10th National Antarctic Science Expedition, our Minister of Industry and Technology, Mr. Mehmet Fatih Kacır, commented on the matter and highlighted the importance of polar expeditions:

“Since 2017, our Turkish scientists have been conducting polar science expeditions under the patronage of our President. To date, we have organized 9 Antarctic and 5 Arctic expeditions; more than 200 Turkish scientists have participated in these expeditions and been involved in more than 150 scientific research projects. We have also hosted more than 30 foreign researchers on these expeditions to date. Undoubtedly, these expeditions enable the Turkish scientific community to carry out high-quality scientific research projects in the polar regions, which feature exceptional environmental conditions. We, too, are working diligently within the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the TÜBİTAK Polar Research Institute to ensure these expeditions are carried out under the most favorable conditions.’

Noting that 17 scientists—including one guest from abroad—and the delegation members accompanying them will conduct high-quality research in Antarctica throughout the expedition, particularly on climate change, Minister Kacır said, “At the same time, they will carry out a series of studies that serve as a continuation of the research we began in previous years. Our goal is to attain ‘Advisory State’ status within the Antarctic Treaty System and to establish a permanent Turkish Scientific Research Station in Antarctica. The work to be carried out at the Turkish Scientific Research Camp, which is currently located in Antarctica, will make valuable contributions toward these goals. ”To date, we have carried out joint projects with 35 different international institutions. In this regard, polar research expeditions are also making significant contributions to Turkey’s stronger presence on the global scientific stage,” he said.

“The South and North Poles now rank among the top priorities for every country and on the international agenda,” emphasized Minister Kacır, adding, “We, too, need to take our scientific capabilities to even higher levels in all these efforts. ”The research that Turkish scientists will conduct through these scientific expeditions will make invaluable contributions to Turkey’s industrial and technological vision, the goals we have set out in the 2030 Industry and Technology Strategy, and our ‘Century of Turkey’ vision,” he noted.

Minister Kacır He noted that Turkish scientists were accompanied on these expeditions by officers from the Turkish Naval Forces Command. Kacır said, “Last year, we mapped the seafloor of Horseshoe Island, where we aim to establish a research station, and we presented this map to His Excellency the President at the TÜBA-TÜBİTAK Science Awards Ceremony. This year’s expedition will involve work that serves as a continuation of that map. In addition, we will continue to collect updated meteorological data from the monitoring station we established in Antarctica in previous years. All of these efforts will provide significant contributions to the scientific community’s global efforts to address the issue of climate change.”.

Minister Kacır, noting that our scientists were once again joined this year by three high school students from Aydın and Ankara—who won the TEKNOFEST Polar Research Project Competition—said, “I would like to congratulate our high school students, their teachers, and their families. Participating in such an expedition at the high school level is truly one of the most important indicators of the vision Turkey offers our youth for the future. Here is Turkish youth; here is the TEKNOFEST generation! With their enthusiasm for scientific research extending to the poles, they will be the bright future of Turkey,” he said.

What Research Will the 10th National Antarctic Science Expedition Team Conduct?

As part of the expedition, a team of 17 people—comprising 16 Turkish and 1 Bulgarian researcher—will conduct fieldwork for the TÜBİTAK Polar 1001 projects. During the expedition, annual data will be collected from the very low frequency (VLF) measurement station established in partnership with the United States, maintenance and upkeep work will be carried out at the Turkish Scientific Research Camp on Horseshoe Island, long-term monitoring studies will be conducted, our GNSS stations will be maintained, and hydrographic mapping of Horseshoe Island and its surroundings will continue.