site.btaSofia University to Host EU Antarctic Research Conference

An international conference on “EU Polar Science for a Sustainable Planet” will be held at Sofia University on December 3 on the occasion of Antarctica Day (December 1), which this year marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty. The participants in the conference will discuss European Antarctic research and development policies and programmes and society’s preparedness to address climate change, the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute (BAI) said on Friday.

The event is organized by Sofia University’s National Centre for Polar Studies and the BAI.

The changes in the environment of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean impact the climate of the whole planet, the BAI said. Many EU member states and associated and neighbouring countries have long and rich experience in the Antarctic continent and contribute to the global efforts to acquire knowledge, achieve meaningful results and provide answers to the public. Bulgaria’s active involvement in Antarctica through research programmes, mobility, infrastructure and the support of the naval research vessel RSV 421 has contributed to the building of longstanding relations with the countries in our region not only in the field of science.

The 65th anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959 is an important occasion to review the investments in knowledge and people and to draw lessons from the experience amassed so far in view of planning the next steps for robust and focused polar research and innovation, the BAI said.

Bulgarian will be the main language of the conference, with simultaneous translation into English.