On April 14, 2025, a ceremonial meeting of the participants of the 17th Belarusian Antarctic Expedition took place at the NAS of Belarus. The Academy of Sciences gathered participants of the 17th Belarusian Antarctic Expedition, Belarusian Antarctic expeditions of different years; employees of organizations of the Divisions of the NAS of Belarus participating in the Antarctic theme; heads of scientific organizations of the NAS of Belarus, young scientists. A special photo exhibition was opened in the hall of the first floor.
As Chairman of the Presidium of the NAS of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov noted during the ceremonial meeting of polar explorers, Antarctic expeditions are as important for Belarusian science as space flights. "We attach approximately the same importance and status to Antarctic expeditions as to space flight. In terms of complexity and extremeness, they are not inferior. This is a long stay in harsh conditions - low temperatures, strong winds, and so on. Polar research is a promising direction for our science, its results are receiving international recognition. Before the departure of the 17th expedition, a meeting with the head of state was held, where pressing questions were raised about the work of Belarusian Antarctic station, its functions, and development. And this is right, since the most important thing is what Antarctic expeditions give to the country," said Vladimir Gusakov. The following spoke with welcoming words: Head of the Republican Center for Polar Research Vladimir Ryzhikov, Director of the Institute of Nature Management of the NAS of Belarus Sergei Lysenko, and Director of the Center for Monitoring the Azonosphere of Belarusian State University Aleksei Yarotov.
The head of Belarusian Antarctic Expedition Alexey Gaidashov shared the results of the expedition and spoke about the specifics of the work during this field season. The 17th BAE lasted 168 days. The expedition members installed a new facility of Belarusian Antarctic Station - the mess hall. Also, a lot of work was done to modernize the existing BAS infrastructure, including power lines and a water supply system. The expedition participants carried out a set of eight scientific programs. All scientific programs were successfully implemented, including the practice-oriented ones. New instrument complexes, industrial products, materials and methods developed in the country's scientific and industrial organizations have been tested in the unfavorable conditions of Antarctica. The main areas include research projects in ecology and the study of local resources. The data obtained in Antarctica will form the basis for new world-class scientific publications.
During the solemn ceremony, the NAS of Belarus was handed over the flag of Belarus, which was raised at the Earth's cold pole - inland station Vostok. This event took place for the first time in the history of independent Belarus. The flag of Belarusian Antarctic Expedition was also raised at the pole of cold. Belarusian flag was raised at the Earth's pole of cold by Vladimir Nesterovich, an employee of the 17th BAE. He took part in the inland sled-caterpillar expeditions to Russian station Vostok. At the end of the ceremony, the expedition members were awarded certificates of participation in the 17th BAE, Honorary and Gratitude Certificates of the NAS of Belarus, and memorable souvenirs.
