Belarus, Russia to study Antarctic’s influence on climate

Belarus and Russia will jointly study the influence of the Antarctic on the Earth’s climate, BelTA learnt from Acting Chief of the National Polar Research Center, head of the Belarusian Antarctic expedition Alexei Gaidashov. He attended an extended working session of the Belarusian interagency commission on the Antarctic. Russian representatives partook in the session, too.

The meeting participants outlined the prospects of scientific cooperation in the Antarctic. In particular, they plan to study the climatic changes in the southern polar area of the Earth. “This is one of the promising areas of joint scientific research because the studies into the climate in the Antarctic region can give us new knowledge about possible climate changes,” Alexei Gaidashov underlined. He added that the sixth continent have a direct impact on global climate.

Another area of the Belarusian-Russian cooperation is the studying of biological maritime resources, particularly marine animals, organisms and plants.

According to Alexei Gaidashov, the agreements in the scientific area will facilitate Belarus’ accession to the Antarctic Treaty in the capacity of a consultative party. Such status will give Belarus the voting and veto rights in the decision-making process on the Antarctic.

On behalf of Russia, the session was attended by the leaders of Russia’s Antarctic expedition. Belarus was represented by the members of the Belarusian interagency commission on the Antarctic, namely representatives of the Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry, the National Academy of Sciences, the Foreign Ministry, the Transport and Communications Ministry and the Belarusian State University.

The Antarctic Treaty is an international agreement which stipulates that the territory of the Antarctic should be used for scientific purposes and turned into a denuclearized zone. The treaty was signed in Washington D.C. on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961. Some 49 states are parties to this treaty.