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BELARE / Princess Elisabeth Antarctica

Welcome to Princess Elisabeth Antarctica!

Welcome to princess Elisabeth Antartica!

The 2023-2024 season is off to an active start as the Belgian Antarctic Research Expedition (BELARE) lead team arrived at the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica research station!

On the evening of November 6th, the first members of the 2023-2024 BELARE team arrived at the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica research station after a smooth departure from Cape Town, South Africa. After being inactive for eight months, the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica station joyfully welcomed both familiar and fresh faces!

The lead team has begun their work, clearing away the accumulated winter snow and switching the station into active mode, which includes restarting the station's water production and treatment systems and preparing vehicles for field expeditions. Powered by 100% renewable wind and solar energy, the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica will be ready to welcome the first group of scientists in early December.

To keep up with the BELARE team and the season's scientific adventures, be sure to visit our websites and check out our social media profiles.

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Testing radar

A Strong Start for Science This Season

Field expeditions for the FROID and ULTIMO projects are off to a strong start, with other scientific projects stopping by the station this week.

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LTAFA 2024 award ceremony Siu-Tsiu winner

Third Laurence Trân Arctic Futures Award Goes to Greenlandic Social Enterprise Supporting Youth

On December 3rd, on the second day of the annual Arctic Futures Symposium, the International Polar Foundation (IPF) and the Trân Family handed out the third Laurence Trân Arctic Futures Award to Siu-Tsiu, a non-profit social enterprise based in Greenland that employs and upskills marginalised young people to help them find work, pursue further education, give them a sense of community and give them a sense of purpose in life.

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Arnoux Beaked Whale in Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica.

IPF Team Sights Rare Arnoux Beaked Whales While on Mission at the Coast

The Unicorn of the Ocean, Arnoux Beaked Whales spotted by 2 members of our team.

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AFS 2024 banner better

Arctic Futures Symposium and Many Side Events Coming to Brussels Next Week!

From December 2nd until December 4th, the International Polar Foundation and its many Arctic stakeholder partners will host the 15th annual Arctic Futures Symposium at the Residence Palace in Brussels’ EU Quarter, along with several interesting Arctic side events at other locations.

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Scientists from the VUB and ULB collecting meteorites in the field

VUB and ULB Mission to Antarctica: Unveiling the Secrets of Climate History and the Solar System

The Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), in collaboration with the International Polar Foundation (IPF), are launching two ambitious scientific expeditions to Antarctica. Their mission: to gain new insights into Earth’s climate history and the evolution of our solar system by studying ancient ice layers and meteorites.

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The Princess Elisabeth Antarctica a few days after opening for 2024-2025 BELARE campaign.

The 2024-2025 BELgian Antarctic Research Expedition (BELARE) has officially begun with opening team hard at work!

The first 14 members of the BELgian Antarctic Research Expedition (BELARE) are off to a strong start opening and preparing the station for the arrival of scientists in the coming days. 

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Part of the contemporary portion of the MAS exhbition 'To the Antarctic'.

"To the Antarctic" Exhibition at MAS Closes but Leaves Behind Great Memories and Many Successes

The MAS exhibition 'To the Antarctic' welcomed more than 45,00 visitors over the 4.5 months that it was open to the public. 

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Aymar de Lichtervelde presenting about the water treatment system at the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica zero-emission polar research station

Another Successful Trip to the Arctic Circle Assembly

The International Polar Foundation was again present and active at the annual Arctic Circle Assembly and accompanying Arctic Circle Business Forum in Reykjavik, Iceland from October 17th-19th.

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A view of Bodø, Norway from above.

Arctic Futures Symposium 2024 Fast Approaching!

The latest edition of the annual Arctic Futures Symposium organised by the International Polar Foundation and its many Arctic stakeholder partners will take place in early December. Register to secure your spot!

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Alain Hubert receiving the 2024 Belgica Prize from Prof. Roland Souchez

Remembering Roland Souchez

IPF is sad to learn of the passing of glaciologist Professor Roland Souchez, who made important contributions to the fields of glaciology and climate science during his decades-long career.

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