UAE Makes Historic Entry as First Arab Nation to Join Antarctic Research Committee
The Emirates becomes an associate member of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, establishing a pioneering presence for Arab science in polar research and climate studies.
The United Arab Emirates has achieved a significant milestone in advancing its scientific capabilities by joining the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) as an associate member. This distinction marks the first time an Arab nation has been welcomed into the prestigious international body, which has been coordinating polar research for nearly seven decades.
The UAE’s membership was formally approved in August 2026 during the SCAR Delegates Meetings held in Oslo, Norway, following the 12th SCAR Open Science Conference. The organisation plays a vital role in orchestrating international scientific research across Antarctica whilst providing independent scientific counsel that informs both Antarctic governance frameworks and assessments of global climate systems.
The Emirates Polar Programme and the Polar Research Centre, based at Khalifa University, will serve as the institutional foundation for the UAE’s participation. Through these channels, national researchers are cultivating expertise in environmental monitoring and field research operations in Antarctica, whilst engaging with established international polar programmes.
Mariam Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court and Chair of the Emirates Polar Programme Steering Committee, emphasised the significance of the achievement. “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 stated, highlighting how international cooperation and sustained partnerships underpin scientific advancement in polar regions.
As an associate member, Emirati scientists will gain access to SCAR’s international research and expert groups, spanning disciplines such as ice-sheet dynamics, Southern Ocean change, permafrost studies and geological history. Early-career researchers will benefit from fellowships, research placements and international scientific exchanges facilitated through the organisation’s networks.
Gary Wilson, president of SCAR, welcomed the UAE’s entry, noting the strength of existing Antarctic research programmes already undertaken by Emirates institutions and expressing enthusiasm for collaborative initiatives addressing globally significant challenges.
Dr. Aisha AlSuwaidi, Professor of Earth Science at Khalifa University, emphasised the collaborative spirit underpinning the achievement whilst articulating an ambitious vision for polar science engagement. “Through SCAR, we look forward to contributing to shared scientific priorities and building partnerships across nations in the cooperative spirit that defines Antarctica,” she remarked, adding that the institution remains committed to bringing artists and storytellers alongside scientists to ensure Antarctica’s narrative reaches both society and scientific communities.
Source: WAM