UAE and New Zealand Forge Landmark Antarctic Research Partnership

In a significant move toward environmental conservation and scientific collaboration, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and New Zealand have signed a Memorandum of Arrangement (MoA) to advance Antarctic research.

The agreement, formalized during a ceremony attended by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, establishes a new era of cooperation between the Emirates Polar Programme and Antarctica New Zealand.

Key signatories included Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability Affairs and Vice-Chair of the Emirates Polar Programme Steering Committee, and Paula Wilson, Deputy Secretary at New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This partnership aims to strengthen joint efforts in Antarctic scientific research, promote academic exchange, and enhance capacity building, with a focus on climate change, ecosystem understanding, and environmental preservation.

Abdulla Balalaa emphasized the importance of the collaboration, noting,

“The partnership with Antarctica New Zealand represents a pivotal advancement for the Emirates Polar Programme, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to global scientific cooperation.”

Leon Grice, Chair of Antarctica New Zealand, expressed excitement about the partnership’s potential, stating,

“This collaboration brings together the unique strengths of both nations, fostering innovation and scientific discovery in one of the most pristine environments on Earth.”

The Emirates Polar Programme, established to boost the UAE’s role in polar science, will benefit from expanded research opportunities and knowledge exchange, advancing the country’s commitment to global climate action and environmental stewardship. This MoA reflects the growing global recognition of the critical need for international scientific collaboration in the face of climate challenges.

News Source: Emirates News Agency