UAE Expands Arctic and Antarctic Science Footprint

The United Arab Emirates is enhancing its involvement in polar science through treaty accessions, international research collaborations, and notable expeditions aimed at advancing climate research. The UAE's strategy focuses on developing national capabilities while contributing to global efforts in understanding climate change in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Recently, the country solidified its position in polar science by joining the Antarctic Treaty System, as formalized by Federal Decree No. 165 of 2024. This accession enables the UAE to engage in consultative meetings and propose research initiatives in collaboration with international climate organizations. In addition to its Antarctic endeavors, the UAE has attained observer status on the Arctic Council, as established by Federal Decree No. 164 of 2024. This status allows the UAE to participate in discussions regarding northern environmental issues and future research programs, further broadening its role in global climate dialogue. In February, Emirati specialists in meteorology and seismology collaborated with the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute to establish two advanced monitoring stations in Antarctica. These stations are designed to gather atmospheric and seismic data, marking a significant step in the UAE's research capabilities in polar regions. The partnership continued in November, with a UAE scientific team participating in Bulgaria’s 34th Antarctic expedition for the second consecutive year, working from UAE laboratories at the Bulgarian base. The UAE Polar Programme, launched in 2024, aims to enhance national expertise in polar science and strengthen the UAE's contributions to global climate research. In 2025, the UAE furthered its commitment to Antarctic research by signing memoranda of understanding with Argentina and New Zealand. These agreements focus on institutional cooperation, academic exchange, and the establishment of permanent research laboratories at both poles. The UAE's increasing presence in polar exploration has also been highlighted by individual achievements. Recently, 18-year-old Emirati mountaineer Fatima Abdulrahman Al Awadhi became the youngest Arab woman to reach the summit of Mount Vinson, Antarctica’s highest peak. This accomplishment follows a historic mission by Emirati explorer Ibrahim Sharaf Al Hashemi, who completed the first circular flight around Antarctica using two helicopters, covering a distance of 19,050 kilometers from December 4, 2024, to January 17, 2025. These milestones contribute to the legacy of Abdullah Al-Ahbabi, the first Emirati to complete the "polar hat-trick" by skiing unsupported to the North Pole, South Pole, and across Greenland.

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