According to Amac News: Joining the treaty will allow the UAE to play a more prominent role in polar research through the Emirates Polar Program, which was launched in November.
The Antarctic Treaty System provides freedom of scientific research in the Arctic and promotes international cooperation. It also supports the establishment of relations for cooperation with specialized organizations such as the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
By joining the treaty, the UAE will be able to participate in Antarctic Treaty consultative meetings, submit national research proposals for consideration or approval, and have a physical presence in Antarctica.
The Head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Palace and Chairman of the Steering Committee of the UAE Polar Mission, said that joining the treaty will allow the UAE to establish new collaborations and partnerships and conduct coordinated research on the drivers of change in the polar regions.
It will also help to organize international polar missions and actively participate in the protection of the region.
One of the goals of the UAE Polar Program is to have a physical presence in the North and South Poles. The Antarctic Treaty system allows the Program to conduct research directly in the Antarctic and equip Emirati scientists with the necessary skills and knowledge.
Two of these scientists recently went on a mission to the South Pole, and a mission to the North Pole is planned for the summer of 2025.
The Head of the International Affairs Office also added that the UAE is committed to building national scientific capacity, inspiring future generations to pursue scientific careers, and advancing global action on climate change.
The treaty was formally adopted by the United States Department of State on 11 December 2024. The accession to the Antarctic Treaty System follows the UAE’s invitation to participate in the Antarctica InSync program and the 33rd Bulgarian Polar Mission.
The UAE Polar Program is led by the Office of International Affairs at the Presidential Palace, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, the National Meteorological Center, and the ATRC. The program includes the establishment of a Polar Research Center at Khalifa University and aims to bring together scientists and experts to address the challenges of polar science.