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UAE becomes first Arab state to join Antarctic research body SCAR
Коротко
The UAE has joined the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research as an associate member, becoming the first Arab state to do so in the body's 68-year history. The membership was approved in August 2026 during SCAR Delegates Meetings held after the 12th SCAR Open Science Conference in Oslo, Norway. The UAE's participation will run through the Emirates Polar Programme and the Polar Research Centre at Khalifa University.
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The UAE has joined the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research as an associate member, becoming the first Arab state to join the international body in its 68-year history, according to WAM and Gulf News. Both outlets said the membership was officially approved in August 2026 during the SCAR Delegates Meetings, held following the 12th SCAR Open Science Conference in Oslo, Norway. [ 2 , 4 ]
The National, which published its report earlier in the day, described the UAE as the first Arab country to join the committee and did not specify associate-member status or the Oslo approval. [ 1 ]
According to WAM and Gulf News, SCAR coordinates international scientific research in Antarctica and provides independent scientific advice that informs Antarctic governance and global climate assessments. Membership connects the UAE's growing polar research community with an international network of scientists and institutions working on Antarctica and its role in the global climate system. The UAE's participation will be delivered through the Emirates Polar Programme and the Polar Research Centre hosted at Khalifa University, where researchers are developing national expertise and working with established polar programmes on environmental monitoring and field research in Antarctica. [ 2 , 4 ]
Mariam Almheiri, head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court and chair of the Emirates Polar Programme Steering Committee, said: “The UAE's membership in SCAR marks an important milestone for the Emirates Polar Program and the development of our national capabilities in polar science.” She added that “scientific progress in the polar regions is built on international cooperation, shared knowledge and long-term partnerships,” and that through SCAR the UAE is “creating new pathways for Emirati scientists to contribute to international research.” [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
As an associate member, UAE researchers will be able to participate in SCAR's international research and expert groups, which bring together specialists across disciplines including ice-sheet dynamics and Southern Ocean change, WAM reported. The National said the Emirates Polar Programme was launched by President Sheikh Mohamed in 2023 and that the UAE was the first Arab nation to commit to scientific research under the Antarctic Treaty System last December. [ 1 , 2 ]
Почему это важно
SCAR coordinates international scientific research in Antarctica and provides independent scientific advice that informs Antarctic governance and global climate assessments, so membership connects the UAE's polar researchers to that network. The documents frame the step as building national expertise in polar science and as the first Arab state entry into the body, giving Emirati scientists access to international research and expert groups.
Ключевые факты
- The UAE joined the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) as an associate member, becoming the first Arab state to join the body in its 68-year history. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The membership was approved in August 2026 during the SCAR Delegates Meetings, held after the 12th SCAR Open Science Conference in Oslo, Norway. [ 2 , 4 ]
- UAE participation will be delivered through the Emirates Polar Programme and the Polar Research Centre hosted at Khalifa University. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- SCAR coordinates international scientific research in Antarctica and provides independent scientific advice informing Antarctic governance and global climate assessments. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Mariam Almheiri, head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court and chair of the Emirates Polar Programme Steering Committee, said the membership marks an important milestone for the programme and for national capabilities in polar science. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The National reported that the Emirates Polar Programme was launched by President Sheikh Mohamed in 2023. [ 1 ]
- The National reported last December that the UAE was the first Arab nation to commit to scientific research under the Antarctic Treaty System. [ 1 ]
Подтверждено несколькими источниками
- The UAE has joined SCAR as an associate member, the first Arab state to do so in the body's 68-year history. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The membership was approved in August 2026 during the SCAR Delegates Meetings following the 12th SCAR Open Science Conference in Oslo, Norway. [ 2 , 4 ]
- UAE participation in SCAR is delivered through the Emirates Polar Programme and the Polar Research Centre at Khalifa University. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- SCAR coordinates international Antarctic research and provides independent scientific advice informing Antarctic governance and global climate assessments. [ 2 , 4 ]
Пока неясно
- Whether the UAE's membership carries voting rights or specific obligations within SCAR None of the documents describe the terms, rights or duties attached to associate membership.
- The exact date in August 2026 on which the membership was approved The documents say only that approval came during the SCAR Delegates Meetings in August 2026, without giving a day.
- The scope of the UAE's earlier commitment to scientific research under the Antarctic Treaty System Only The National mentions this commitment, and it is the sole source for the detail.
- The National describes the UAE as the first Arab country to join the committee without specifying associate-member status, which WAM and Gulf News state explicitly A difference in detail between outlets rather than a direct contradiction.
Что пишут местные СМИ
Хронология, местное время
- The National publishes its report on the UAE joining SCAR, saying it is the first Arab country to do so and citing the Emirates Polar Programme and a December commitment under the Antarctic Treaty System. [ 1 ]
- WAM reports the UAE joined SCAR as an associate member, the first Arab state in the body's 68-year history, with approval in August 2026 after the 12th SCAR Open Science Conference in Oslo. [ 2 ]
- Gulf News publishes its report, carrying the same membership details and the Almheiri statement. [ 4 ]