Circular on the establishment of the Polar Regions Coordination Board published in the Official Gazette
The circular published in the Official Gazette emphasized the increasing geostrategic, economic, and ecological importance of the polar regions. The circular noted that melting glaciers in the Arctic and Antarctic directly impacts the global climate, natural life balance, energy supply, accessibility and use of underground resources, international trade routes, urbanization, and sea level change, while also indirectly impacting many areas such as finance, migration, and education. It continued, "Our country's 2053 vision is to internalize innovation in science and technology, strengthen an ecosystem that encourages technology initiatives and research and development investments, and make our country a center of attraction in critical areas, both regionally and globally. The growing global importance of the polar regions has made these regions one of the critical areas." The circular, which stated that it is important to strengthen Türkiye's international position in both polar regions in line with the objectives of the National Polar Science Strategy (2023-2035), emphasized that research, development, and innovation activities carried out in the polar regions, as well as existing and future infrastructures in the polar regions, will facilitate Türkiye's access to these regions and, by engaging in active activities in these regions, play an active role in preserving humanity's common heritage. Studies will be conducted under the coordination of eight Ministries and TÜBİTAK.
According to the circular, the board will be chaired by the Minister of Industry and Technology, with the participation of the relevant deputy ministers of the Ministries of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Foreign Affairs, Energy and Natural Resources, National Defense, Agriculture and Forestry, Trade, and Transport and Infrastructure, as well as the President of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey ( TÜBİTAK) and the Director of the Polar Research Institute at the TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center. The board will meet annually. The Board Chair may convene the board for a meeting as needed and may establish subcommittees and working groups. Representatives of relevant public institutions and organizations, as well as universities, research infrastructures, non-governmental organizations, professional associations, and the private sector, may be invited to board meetings.
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