Project of strategic importance

The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, has held a meeting with scientists and participants of Belarusian Antarctic expeditions

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From the very beginning, the Head of State set a practice-oriented tone for communication regarding scientific research and work in Antarctica. “Our country needs this research. What practical results can we expect from it in the near future?” the Belarusian leader made the main emphasis.
The President was also interested in the possibility of commercialisation of the presented technical developments.
Aleksei Gaidashov, Deputy Head of the Republican Centre for Polar Research and the head of all Belarusian Antarctic expeditions, reported that complex devices — many of which are better than foreign analogues, and some have no analogues in the world at all — are being tested in the unique conditions of Antarctica.
A complex for recording geophysical signals, a MARS-B spectrometer, a submersible photometer, a solar spectral albedometer, a complex of mobile meteorological stations, a submersible bathyscaphe, a lidar component base and other equipment were demonstrated to the Head of State.
Aleksandr Lukashenko was also shown minerals and components of the Antarctic natural environment, samples of flora and fauna and other items obtained during the polar research.

Photo courtesy of the Republican Centre for Polar Research: Belarusian research base in Antarctica

According to the Head of State, the very idea of Belarus’ presence in Antarctica, as well as space exploration, once seemed absolutely audacious, yet these scientific peaks have been conquered. “As you know, we have conquered these impossible scientific peaks,” the President stressed.
In 2006, Aleksandr Lukashenko supported Belarus’ accession to the Antarctic Treaty. At that time, it was crucial to preserve the scientific potential and continuity of research developed in Soviet times, and to form a national scientific school using the existing basis.

“Young people choose careers in science, a new generation of specialists is growing, and domestic scientific schools are developing,” the President stated. “The 17th Belarusian Antarctic expedition is already on its way. This indicates the success of the project, which has become as strategically important as the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, the launch of space satellites, and a flight into space.” 

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarus had rightfully entered the elite pool of states exploring Antarctica. The high level of development of Belarusian science and technology is widely recognised, “Today, the Belarusian flag is flying on the remote ice continent. Only 30 countries are present in this region. Belarus is one of them. Moreover, we have our own research station — Gora [Mountain] Vechernyaya — with full-fledged infrastructure, modern scientific laboratories, and more. What is important, the most advanced technological solutions are implemented there. These solutions are ours, Belarusian,” the Head of State underscored. “We have serious research and production potential. The equipment used has been developed by us for the application in extreme conditions, some technologies and tools are unique and have no analogues in the world. We need to learn not only how to use them, but also how to implement them — everything should bring money.”  
The President believes that the technological and design solutions and materials tested in Antarctica would be good to use in various industries within the country. The Head of State suggested thinking about how the research of Belarusian polar explorers can be applied in the real sector of the economy right now.

Photo courtesy of the Republican Centre for Polar Research: Belarusian polar explorers conducting research in Antarctica

According to the President, Antarctica is a perfect example of unbiased and constructive relations between different countries.

“Thank God that there is still a piece of land on the planet where such relations can be established and developed,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added. “By and large, scientific achievements in such global areas as space exploration, the development of nuclear energy, combating pandemics, and the development of polar regions are an important tool of international diplomacy.”  

During the meeting, the President shared his personal wish, “I would like to visit this pole of our planet with great pleasure. Maybe someday we will meet there and discuss in more detail what can be achieved in this area.” 
The state will continue to support the work of polar explorers, yet the President emphasised that there should not be any arrogant faith in success. Most importantly, ‘fundamental research must develop into practical application’. “I do not have any kind of gigantomania, but — since we have already come there — it must be clear for the country that we will benefit from this. We need to look to the future, and to make the future good, we must proceed from reality. That is what I want to draw your attention to,” the Belarusian leader stressed. “I mostly address this to the Academy of Sciences and our scientists. We cannot move forward without scientists, but our scientists mostly got stuck in a rut.” 

Participants of the 16th Belarusian Antarctic expedition — Aleksei Gaidashov, Vitaly Khilko, Yegor Korzun — unfurled the national flag
of Belarus in Antarctica    belta

POLAR EXPLORERS HAVE GIFTED THE PRESIDENT OF BELARUS A UNIQUE MINERAL ENDERBITE

This mineral — which is about four billion years old — makes the basis of the Earth’s crystalline basement. The presence of the mineral on the Earth’s surface is observed in Antarctica only. The sample handed over to the Head of State was mined in the area of the Belarusian Antarctic station Gora Vechernyaya.
Another gift from the participants of the 16th Belarusian Antarctic expedition is the national flag of Belarus, which had visited a hard-to-reach area of Antarctica. The national flag of the Republic of Belarus was unfurled on January 20th, 2024 by participants of the groundbreaking 16th Belarusian Antarctic expedition — Aleksei Gaidashov, Vitaly Khilko, Yegor Korzun — at the final point of the route after their multiday scientific hike to a remote unexplored area of Antarctica, which is Mount Marriner in the Nye Mountains.
The unfolded flag size is 500x1,000mm.

Photo courtesy of the Republican Centre for Polar Research

During the meeting, Chairman of the Presidium of Belarus’ National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Vladimir Gusakov reported on expeditionary activities in the region, international co-operation and research results 

Belarus began its journey to explore Antarctica back in 2006, as noted by Vladimir Gusakov. That year, the country joined the Antarctic Treaty, along with 57 countries, of which 29 have consultative status with the right to vote in decision-making. “Our country is an associate member of the treaty so far. We hope that in the near future we will also receive the status of a consultative party,” the chairman said. According to Gusakov, Belarus has already submitted an application, which will be considered at a meeting of the countries-parties to the treaty in Italy in 2025.  
In 2007, the Republican Centre for Polar Research was established in Belarus, which was engaged, among other things, in organising Belarusian Antarctic expeditions, selecting candidates, providing logistical and technical support, and ensuring the creation and operation of an Antarctic station. Since then, 16 seasonal Antarctic expeditions have already been conducted, and the 17th is currently under way. 
Belarus has signed 14 agreements on scientific and technical co-operation in Antarctica with governments and organisations from nine countries (Russia, Bulgaria, Türkiye, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, Finland, Germany, Ukraine), established strategic interaction with Russia, coherent research and technical co-operation, mutual exchange of scientific personnel. Belarus’ membership in the international communities for the exploration and development of Antarctica, as well as the close liaison of participants in Antarctic expeditions with foreign counterparts, makes it possible to favourably position our country as a full-fledged partner who contributes significantly to the exploration of this continent, the NAS chairman is convinced.
Speaking about the results of research obtained in Antarctica, Vladimir Gusakov explained that they are exclusive and fundamental. Belarus’ research in Antarctica includes studies of atmospheric parameters, the ozone layer, geological, geophysical, seismological and meteorological observations, aerospace studies of natural objects, comprehensive analysis of biological diversity and monitoring of natural ecosystems.
The NAS chairman highlighted the practical focus of research, 

“Due to the transparent atmosphere, this region is suitable for pre-flight calibration of the optical equipment in our spacecraft; therefore, a reference test site has been created near the station. Scientific work carried out in Antarctica contributes to the advancement in related areas, including the development of domestic equipment and instrument base for operation in extreme conditions.” 

Exposition showcased domestic devices and equipment for Belarusian expeditions        belta

According to scientists’ estimates, the Antarctic region boasts rich mineral and biological resources, while its interior contains significant reserves of minerals, including oil, natural gas, coal, gold, silver, molybdenum, uranium. However, the Antarctic Treaty has determined to use the region exclusively for peaceful, research purposes — an international ban on mineral extraction is in force until 2049.
Vladimir Gusakov thanked the Head of State for the comprehensive support of activities in the Antarctic region and asked to consider the possibility of renaming the national Gora Vechernyaya Antarctic station into the Belarusian station. At present, about 70 scientific stations of 30 countries — including the Belarusian one — are located in Antarctica. Our base includes office, residential, technological, and environmental facilities, instrument complexes and scientific stations. This allows providing safe working conditions for polar explorers (up to 15 people) and organising research in the field of biology, atmospheric physics, climatology, geophysics and geoecology.

Aleksei Gaidashov: capabilities of the Belarusian Antarctic station enable us to develop many scientific areas 

The deputy head of the Republican Centre for Polar Research and the head of all Belarusian Antarctic expeditions called attention to an important fact, “We have not been dependent on imports since 2006 — we have our own technological developments of the station, devices, clothing, and food. We are backed by this. The events of the last five years have shown that we were right. We are calm now in terms of life support and maintenance of the station.”
Aleksei Gaidashov proposed to determine the status of polar explorers at the legislative level, since they are essentially seasonal workers now.
“We need to decide on the status and make proposals,” the President instructed immediately.  
One of the major issues in this regard is the preservation of employment record, since polar explorers have to leave their main place of work to participate in expeditions, and upon returning, they have to look for jobs again. 
“This is a small group of people. So study this matter, including the need for medical care, and other issues,” the Head of State agreed.
Another request from Aleksei Gaidashov was to make adjustments to the procurement legislation in relation to the needs of polar explorers. Sometimes this procedure can be rather complicated, as specific items need to be purchased, and there can be no alternative. “Safety is our priority. We work autonomously for lengthy periods of time,” he noted.
Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested that decisions on procurement for Antarctic expeditions be made by the head of Belarus’ National Academy of Sciences on a point-by-point basis. “I think it will be an ideal option for polar explorers,” Aleksei Gaidashov agreed.

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by