Yesterday, 29 January 2026, an important meeting took place between officials and scientists from Ukraine and Mexico, during which the parties discussed areas and prospects for cooperation in Antarctica.
Symbolically, the Ukrainian r/v Noosfera provided a venue for the event. It is currently in the port of Punta Arenas (Chile) and will set off on its next voyage to Antarctica in a few days.
The event followed the historic Memorandum on Scientific Cooperation in Antarctica, which the National Antarctic Scientific Centre and the Mexican Agency of Antarctic Research (AMEA) signed last year.
Therefore, this Antarctic season, the Noosfera and our Vernadsky station are hosting participants of the First Mexican Antarctic Expedition.
The event was attended by diplomats: Serhiy Pogoreltsev, Ambassador of Ukraine to Mexico, Yuriy Dyudin, Ambassador of Ukraine to Chile, and Laura Beatriz Moreno Rodríguez, Ambassador of Mexico to Chile. They emphasised the importance of this cooperation, demonstrating the absence of borders in science and shared responsibility for the future of our planet.
This idea was echoed by the head of the National Antarctic Scientific Centre, Evgen Dykyi, who joined online from Kyiv. He stressed that such collaboration enriches scientists’ understanding of global processes.
The main areas of cooperation between Ukraine and Mexico in Antarctica are currently geological, microbiological and oceanographic.
“In December last year, we conducted our first joint geological research with members of the Mexican expedition. We are glad that everything went well, from everyday life to fieldwork. And that we were able to support your mission here,” said Olexander Poluden, head of the 30th UAE, who also joined online from Vernadsky.
In turn, Patricia Valdespino, president of the Mexican Agency of Antarctic Research (AMEA), emotionally remarked: “The invitation Ukraine is sharing with us is totally unprecedented. Ukrainians are in big pain today. It’s our pain as well. And they are strong enough to involve us in their research, to open their hearts to us, so we are very grateful for that.”
Among the guests were also representatives of the Colombian Antarctic Programme, who also shared their plans for joint research, and the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH).
In addition to Mexico and Colombia, Ukraine is collaborating with scientists from the Czech Republic, Poland, and Canada in Antarctica this season.
