Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs

COMNAP is the international association of 34 National Antarctic Programs that develops and promotes best practice to facilitate support of Antarctic research.

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

In most parts of the world, a search and rescue operation begins with a call to a Rescue Coordination Centre and a response within minutes or hours. In Antarctica, the situation is fundamentally different.
This is the context for the 6th COMNAP Antarctic Search & Rescue Workshop.

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

In 2023, COMNAP formalised its support through the COMNAP RINGS Collaboration Project, using its regional networks to coordinate exactly the kind of multi-program effort the surveys demand. Progress on the COMNAP RINGS Collaboration project will be reported at the 38th COMNAP AGM

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

The models require data, the data require surveys, and the surveys require aircraft, logistics and coordination across multiple countries simultaneously. No single nation can accomplish this alone. It is paramount to coordinate national assets together through RINGS.

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

Between AGM, COMNAP doesn’t stop. The work continues through seven cross-program projects, each one addressing a challenge that no single NAP can solve on its own. What these projects have in common: they require expertise, trust, shared standards. That’s COMNAP in practice.

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

At the AGM, 7 Expert Groups will run structured topical discussions. These are: Advancing Critical Technologies, Marine Platforms & Air Operations, Education, Outreach & Training, Environmental Protection, Human Biology & Medicine, Safety, Science Facilitation.

📷:M. Figielski

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

How can we use existing significant education & outreach infrastructure effectively? With the 5th International Polar Year (IPY-5) on the horizon, the opportunity to grow that audience, and use it purposefully, has never been more timely.
#COMNAPAGM #AntarcticCooperation

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

94% of national Antarctic programs share photo and video collections with the public. 91% maintain an active social media presence. 85% contribute to teaching and education programs in their home countries.

📷 : INACH

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

At the COMNAP AGM, one of the most practically important sessions is the Regional Breakout Groups where NAPs that work in the same part of the continent sit down together. This coordination reduces duplication, improves safety, and increases efficiency.

🗺️Herried, PGC, 2015

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

The work of the Regional break-out groups do not stop at the COMNAP AGM but it extends to the work the programs do to enable and support science in Antarctica. December 2025, example of cooperation at its finest between 🇰🇷 and the 🇮🇹 national Antarctic Programs.
📷:Ascione,PNRA

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

There is exactly only one meeting per year where every national Antarctic program sits is the same room. Not a video call. One in-person meeting, where managers and personnel of all programs operating in Antarctica come together. The COMNAP AGM is that meeting!
📷: K. Durkiewicz.

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

Over the next month, we’ll be sharing a look inside the meeting and what real-world cooperation between programs looks like in practice. Follow along if you’re curious about how Antarctica actually works. #COMNAPAGM

Artwork credit: Pablo Ruiz

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

The 38th COMNAP AGM and the 6th Antarctic Search & Rescue Workshop will take place 4–7 August 2026, hosted by the Norwegian Polar Institute.
COMNAP Membership is thirty-four country programs, representing almost 100% of the science and science support activity in Antarctica.

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

Does Antarctica Matter to You?

The COMNAP Newsletter - Antarctica Matters, is for anyone who wants to stay connected to Antarctica.

Sign up via the COMNAP website.
https://t.co/vNolc2JdVz

#Antarcticamatters #Antarctica #COMNAP

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

COMNAP Early-Career Award 2026 applications are closing soon.

If you are an Early-Career Researcher, interested in Antarctica, don't miss this fantastic opportunity.

Applications close 14 June
https://t.co/wwDGCUBUqd
#EarlyCareer #Antarctica
📷Instituto Antártico Chileno

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

⏳ Less than 2 weeks remain to apply for the COMNAP Early-Career Award!

Supporting an early-career Antarctic professional to join a project team in another country, develop new skills, and build lasting international collaborations.
https://t.co/wwDGCUBUqd

Apply by 14 June!

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

COMNAP is delighted to be participating in the Joint CEP/SC-CAMLR Climate Change and Monitoring workshop, held in Hiroshima, Japan, 8-9 May.
The workshop anticipates ATCM48 and CEP28 starting on 11 May.
#Antarctica #ATCM48 #CEP28 #ClimateChange

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

The COMNAP Secretariat was delighted to meet with Lauren Herrington, Public Engagement Advisor, U.S. Embassy Wellington, to advance discussions on organising and hosting the Antarctic Summer Science Lecture series, jointly with Gateway Antarctica @GatewayAntarct1

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

Michelle Rogan-Finnemore was the COMNAP delegate as an invited observer to the Association of Antarctica Tour Operators Annual Meeting @iaato_org, 20-23 April, Annapolis, Maryland, USA.

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

Applications for the COMNAP Early-Career Award are still open!

Clara Álvarez Hernández is a previous recipient of the award and encourages others to apply.

Apply on the COMNAP website https://t.co/wwDGCUBUqd
Applications close 14 June

https://t.co/vxzbuHD88P

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

The 20th COMNAP Symposium Presentations feature collaborations and innovations around the power and the use of fuel in Antarctica. Watch the presentations to see how Antarctic programs are powering a more sustainable future.
https://t.co/xhySPZdmnR

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

Today we celebrate Earth Day.
This year’s theme is Our Power, Our Planet

How we generate energy in Antarctica matters.

Since 1988, COMNAP has had a focus on fuel and fuel handling, including spill response. COMNAP began work on alternative fuels in 2006.

[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs @COMNAP1]

We are continuing this effort nowadays supported by the COMNAP Ambitions Framework and through the COMNAP Alternative Fuel Taskforce.