News

Focus on Role of Global Alliance of Universities on Climate as Valuable Platform for Coordinating University-Led Research of Polar Regions    Advanced research projects initiated by the Polar Research Center, established under the UAE’s Emirates Polar Program at Khalifa University of Science and Technology, were highlighted at World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.   On the sidelines of the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, at a high-level annual meeting of leaders of higher education organized by the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC), Professor Samuel Mao, member of Polar Research Centre’s management team, Director, ASPIRE Research Institute for…

Research Mission under Emirates Polar Program Explores Ancient Arctic Climate Records Dating Back more than 230 million Years     Khalifa University’s research team from the UAE’s Polar Research Center at Khalifa University conducted a scientific expedition to Svalbard, the world’s northernmost inhabited region, under the Emirates Polar Program (EPP) in collaboration with the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS). The research marks the UAE’s first on-site Arctic geological research, aimed at studying ancient climate records dating back more than 230 million years.   The study supports the ‘SvalClime Project,’ an international research initiative which conducts scientific drilling in Svalbard to understand…

Emirates Polar Program and Polar Research Center engage in Global Dialogue on Science, Sustainability, and Arctic Cooperation     The UAE’s expanding role in polar research and climate-related initiatives were highlighted at ‘Where Science Meets Business: Global Collaboration,’ a key session hosted by the Emirates Polar Program, during the world’s largest Arctic Circle gathering, by Khalifa University’s Dr. Aisha Al Suwaidi, the only academic from the UAE invited to speak at the Arctic Circle Assembly 2025 in Reykjavík, Iceland.   As a member of the Polar Research Center at Khalifa University, Dr. Aisha Al Suwaidi, Associate Professor, Earth Sciences, joined…

Khalifa University Organizes Three High-Level Higher Education Workshops   Khalifa University of Science and Technology organized three high-level higher education workshops and presented some of the key research initiatives at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference COP30 Brasil Amazonia in Belém, Brazil, reiterating its status as one of the prominent global leaders in climate action initiatives.   His Excellency Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President, Khalifa University said: “Khalifa University is proud to present some of its research initiatives at COP30 Brasil Amazonia, emphasizing the country’s leadership in climate action and the need to preserve the polar regions from climate…

Global Universities and International Participants Engage with Khalifa University’s Climate Leadership, Research Excellence, and Global Outreach   Khalifa University of Science and Technology joined with the Global Alliance of Universities for Climate (GAUC) to lead a high-level climate dialogue for the international higher education community at COP30 Brasil Amazonia in Belém, Brazil.   The dialogue featured a standout panel discussion workshop focused on ‘Higher Education Institutions for Climate Action: Innovation, Implementation, Cooperation, and Communication’, emphasizing four important components of the critical roles of higher education institutions. It was chaired and moderated by GAUC’s Chief Youth Officer, Alice Ho, with Deputy…

Event Highlights Sustainable Polar Research Models and Future-Ready Infrastructure for Environmentally Responsible Exploration   The world’s first zero-emission polar research facility, the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica Station, was showcased at Khalifa University’s ‘Polar Futures: Collaborative Innovation for a Sustainable Earth’ seminar, held in collaboration with the Brussels-based International Polar Foundation (IPF) and organized by the Khalifa University Polar Research Center (PRC).   Designed to operate entirely on renewable wind and solar energy, the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica Station minimizes its carbon footprint through smart architecture, advanced waste-management systems, and optimized energy storage. Serving as a model for sustainable research operations in extreme…

Emirati PhD Researcher Omar Abdulrahman Alattas to Represent UAE’s Polar Research Centre, Khalifa University in 34th Annual Bulgarian Antarctic Research Expedition   In a milestone that extends the UAE’s scientific reach to one of the most remote regions on Earth, Khalifa University PhD researcher Omar Abdulrahman Alattas, has been selected by the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) to join the UAE scientific team participating in the 2025–2026 Bulgarian Antarctic Research Expedition.    Supervised by Dr. Frantz Gerard Ossa Ossa from the Earth Science Department and Polar Research Centre (PRC), Omar Alattas will join the expedition, heading to Livingston Island, Antarctica.…

The Emirates Polar Program participated in The Arctic Encounter Symposium(AES), the largest annual Arctic policy and business event in the United States, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, industry experts, Indigenous leaders, and and leading experts from the science, technology, marine, research, startups, investment, health, and energy sectors, to address pressing issues in Arctic policy. The Symposium aims to address the shared interests and concerns of the United States and the global community.   As part of the symposium’s agenda, the UAE delegation contributed to two prominent panel discussions. The first panel, titled “Expanding the Arctic Dialogue: Diplomacy from Tokyo to…

The Emirates Polar Program hosted an engaging educational event at Kids Palace Nursery, the Presidential Court’s nursery, aimed at sparking curiosity and raising awareness amongst young children around the unique environments and Indigenous communities of the polar regions.   The initiative reflects the Emirates Polar Program’s belief that cultivating environmental awareness must start early, empowering future generations to become informed and responsible global citizens.   Through a series of interactive and sensory-based activities, the children were transported to the icy landscapes of the Arctic and Antarctic. Highlights included playful “snow” exploration, an ice-fishing scene, hands-on demonstrations of how plants can…

The UAE delegation, headed by H.E. Abdalla Balalaa, Deputy Chair of the Emirates Polar Program and Assistant Foreign Minister for Energy and Sustainability Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the 47th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM) in Milan, Italy for the first time after acceding the Antarctic Treaty in December 2024. The delegation additionally included representatives from the Emirates Polar Program and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.   The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting is the key platform for decision-making on Antarctic matters. All parties gather annually to address critical issues and policies concerning Antarctica, and to present information…

The Emirates Polar Program delegation, with its research arm at the Polar Research Center, participated in the Arctic Circle India Forum, co-hosted by Arctic Circle and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Earth Sciences of India. The event took place in New Delhi at the Taj Palace on 3-4 May 2025.   The theme of the Forum is The Polar Order: The Arctic and Asia | Science - Geopolitics - Climate - Business. Focusing on Asia’s growing role in Arctic affairs, including in polar research cooperation, business opportunities, climate…

The United Arab Emirates and New Zealand have signed a Memorandum of Arrangement (MoA) marking the beginning of a landmark collaboration in Antarctic scientific research. The agreement underscores the nations’ shared commitment to environmental conservation in Antarctica.   The MoA between the Emirates Polar Programme and Antarctica New Zealand was formalised during an official signing ceremony, which was attended by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE. The key signatories of the key agreement were Abdulla Balalaa, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability Affairs…

Held in Tromsø, Norway this annual event, prominent for its focus on the Arctic's most pressing challenges, provides participants with an opportunity to engage with global leaders, scientists, and policymakers. The EPP’s involvement highlights the UAE’s dedication to shaping effective policies, fostering international partnerships, and contributing to the long-term well-being of Arctic communities and ecosystems. Through this, the EPP gained deeper insights into cutting-edge research, deliberated policies, and emerging scientific opportunities in the Arctic.

Ahmed Mansour Al Kaabi and Badr Alameri, who recently returned after successful completion of Emirates Polar Program, spoke to Khaleej Times   Two Emirati scientists have established two research stations in Antarctica – one for weather monitoring and another for seismological research. The remarkable feat marks the first time the UAE and the Arab region are represented in this critical scientific endeavour.   The scientists, 32-year-old Ahmed Mansour Al Kaabi and 31-year-old Eng. Badr Alameri, who recently returned from the icy cold expanse, shared their journey in an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times.   Reflecting on the challenges of operating…

The United Arab Emirates and the Argentine Republic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Antarctic Research, reinforcing their shared commitment to scientific progress and environmental stewardship in Antarctica.   The MoU was formalised between the Emirates Polar Program, under the Presidential Court, and the National Directorate for Antarctic (Instituto Antartico Argentino - IAA), under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of the Argentine Republic.   The memorandum was signed on the sidelines of the Foreign Minister of the Argentine Republic’s visit to the UAE by Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for…

Brief: The UAE, a long-standing supporter of global sustainability initiatives, and through the newly launched Emirates Polar Program, has collaborated with the Arctic Circle to bring forth a Polar Dialogue, held in Abu Dhabi for the very first time. This event was held during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and aimed at building the momentum generated by the Polar Summit 2023, and the Arctic Circle’s custodianship of the Polar Dialogue as a continual effort in 2024 and beyond. The Polar Dialogue, Chaired by H.E. Katrin Jakobsdottir, former Prime Minister of Iceland (2017-2024), has established itself as a convener and a…

Khalifa University Faculty Members Share Research Perspectives on Ways to Preserve Polar Region   In collaboration with the Emirates Polar Program and the Arctic Circle, Khalifa University hosted global stakeholders, leading polar scientists, and policymakers for a Polar Seminar at the Sas Al Nakhl (SAN) Campus as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025.   Joined by the Chairman of Arctic Circle, H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, and the Chair of the Polar Dialogue and previous Prime Minister of Iceland, H.E. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, the guests toured Khalifa University’s cutting-edge research facilities. The group visited the Environmental and Geophysical Sciences…

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), in collaboration with the Bulgarian Institute of Polar Research, participated in its first joint scientific expedition to the South Pole, a unique achievement that reflects the UAE's firm commitment to leading global scientific research and enhancing international partnerships in the fields of meteorology and climate science, emphasising its pivotal role in addressing global climate challenges.   The expedition involved Two Emirati experts in meteorology and seismology, Ahmed Al Kaabi and Badr Al Ameri, participated in the expedition, who underwent intensive training to endure the harsh conditions faced by scientific missions in polar regions.  …

The UAE has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) following the Federal Decree No.165 of 2024. This crucial step enhances the country’s global position in polar science.   ATS provides for freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica and promotes international cooperation. It also encourages the establishment of cooperative working relations with specialised agencies like the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) that have a scientific or technical interest in Antarctica.   By acceding to the Treaty, the UAE has gained the opportunity to attend the Antarctic Treaty…

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Republic of India have taken a monumental step in strengthening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on polar research. This pioneering agreement in scientific cooperation marks a new chapter in bilateral relations, venturing into a field of critical global importance.   The MoU, exchanged between the Emirates Polar Program and the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) of India, was formalized during the 15th round of the UAE-India Joint Committee Meeting. The signing ceremony was officiated by H.E. Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister for Energy and…

The UAE Antarctic Research Programme Workshop was convened in Abu Dhabi by the UAE National Meteorological Center (NCM) with the aim of seeking input from the international Antarctic research community to the development of a UAE Antarctic Program to ensure both its alignment with the overall priorities for Antarctic research laid out by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and other international coordination bodies and it’s complementarity to other existing national Antarctic research programs.   The primary objectives of the UAE Antarctic Research Programme Workshop were to: Enhance the understanding of the current global research priorities and activities in…

The UAE Polar Program Steering Committee, through the International Affairs Office initiated a series of consultations over the past few months, with public, private, and academic stakeholders to help shape the strategic research agenda.   Several focus group discussions and workshops, including the workshop hosted by the National Center of Meteorology have helped identify the needs. Hosted by the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court and the UAE Polar Mission Emirates Polar Program Steering Committee, this workshop represented the final phase of the process. It focused on developing a high-level strategic research agenda.

  With climate change altering their frequency and intensity, atmospheric rivers may become a defining factor in Antarctica’s future.   Uncover the science behind these skyborne storms - Listen now!  For a place renowned as the world’s coldest desert, Antarctica receives an unexpected amount of moisture from a surprising source: atmospheric rivers (ARs). These “rivers in the sky” are long, narrow bands of air carrying enormous amounts of moisture from warmer regions to the poles. While they can deposit heavy snowfall that contributes to the ice sheet’s mass, they can also drive destructive melting, destabilizing glaciers and ice shelves.  …

Khalifa x The Arctic University of Norway UiT signing

The UAE Polar Program Steering Committee, through the International Affairs Office initiated a series of consultations over the past few months, with public, private, and academic stakeholders to help shape the strategic research agenda. Several focus group discussions and workshops, including the workshop hosted by the National Center of Meteorology have helped identify the needs. Hosted by the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court and the UAE Polar Mission Steering Committee, this workshop represented the final phase of the process. It focused on developing a high-level strategic research agenda.

The UAE Antarctic Research Programme Workshop was convened in Abu Dhabi by the UAE National Meteorological Center (NCM) with the aim of seeking input from the international Antarctic research community to the development of a UAE Antarctic Program to ensure both its alignment with the overall priorities for Antarctic research laid out by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and other international coordination bodies and it’s complementarity to other existing national Antarctic research programs. The primary objectives of the UAE Antarctic Research Programme Workshop were to: Enhance the understanding of the current global research priorities and activities in Antarctica…

Khalifa University Faculty Members Share Research Perspectives on Ways to Preserve Polar Region    In collaboration with the Emirates Polar Program and the Arctic Circle, Khalifa University hosted global stakeholders, leading polar scientists, and policymakers for a Polar Seminar at the Sas Al Nakhl (SAN) Campus as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025.    Joined by the Chairman of Arctic Circle, H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, and the Chair of the Polar Dialogue and previous Prime Minister of Iceland, H.E. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, the guests toured Khalifa University’s cutting-edge research facilities. The group visited the Environmental and Geophysical Sciences…

ENGEOS Researchers Strategically Install SIMBA in April, before Formation of Sea Ice Starts, to Gain Insights on Ocean and Atmosphere Characteristics    Uncover insights on Antarctic ice and sea level rise—listen now!   Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced scientists and researchers from its Environmental and Geophysical Sciences (ENGEOS) laboratory and the Earth Science department have deployed Snow Ice Mass Balance (SIMBA), a special instrument to study ice in Antarctica. This is the first time scientists from any institution in the UAE have deployed operational instruments on the icy southern continent.    The project led by Khalifa University’s…

Climate change is a factor in the loss of ice over Antarctica, which could contribute to significant sea-level rise around the globe Researchers in the UAE have released findings that could help scientists better understand the factors that are causing Antarctic ice to melt. Two studies led by scientists at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi shed light on a subject that is of critical importance to the future of the planet. “In our studies, we identified the atmospheric processes that are triggering and contributing to the ice melt,” Diana Francis, head of Khalifa University's Environmental and Geophysical Sciences Lab and author of the studies,…