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| Belgian polar science history Belgium’s and Antarctica’s history are linked to one another as of the end of the 19th century. Belgium was the first country to have an over wintering team in Antarctica and to conduct the first ‘scientific’ expedition (1897 to 1899). The establishment of the Belgian Roi Baudouin base (1958) and Belgium’s participation to the Antarctic Treaty negotiations (1959) enforced our country’s interest for this continent. However, the Belgian base had to be abandoned and closed in 1966, buried under meters of snow and becoming unsafe to inhabit. More... |
Belgian polar science today
In 1985, nearly 20 years after the closure of the Roi Baudouin base, the Belgian Science Policy set in place a multi-annual scientific Antarctic research programme, in order to respond to Belgium’s obligations as founding member of the Antarctic Treaty and to consolidate its position in the Antarctic Treaty System. This initiative permitted Belgium to play an active role in the negotiations regarding the "Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty" (1991). More... |
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| International
Polar Year (2007-2008) One March 2007 is the official launch of the International Polar Year (IPY - 2007-2008), a large international and interdisciplinary scientific programme focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic. The IPY covers 2 Arctic and 2 Antarctic summers. This section gives an overview of the belgian participation to the IPY. More... |
Princess Elisabeth
Station In 2007-2008 and at the occasion of the International Polar Year (IPY), Belgium foresees the construction of a new research station in Antarctica. The station, designed following eco-construction principles and with a maximum use of Renewable energy sources and wastewater treatment, will be the first zero-emission station in Antarctica. This new research platform will be offered to Belgian as well as international researchers. More... |
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