The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs is an international association, formed in 1988, which facilitates support to Antarctic operations amongst the governmental National Antarctic Programs. Our Membership is thirty-three country programs, representing almost 100% of the science and science support activity in Antarctica. The National Antarctic Programs, our Members, are responsible for delivering and supporting scientific research in the Antarctic Treaty Area on behalf of their respective governments and in the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty. They work collaboratively and individually to ensure data from Antarctica is available to the world.

Projects

As an organization, we enable and lead a range of COMNAP Projects that support our Membership, that engage the public, and which ensure we are providing best practice advice to the Antarctic community.

Expert Groups

People within the COMNAP Membership have a depth and breadth of expertise found nowhere else. A fundamental aspect of our organisation is to support the free exchange of information between these experts.

Ambitions

Our Ambitions include caring for the environment, supporting our Members to succeed, and fostering strong community relationships while contributing towards a positive, enduring Antarctic future.

Documents and resources

Over the years, we have worked with our Membership and the wider Antarctic community to produce a range of informative brochures, booklets, books and even the Antarctic Station game. Some of our publications provide guidance to our Members on things like waste management, critical technologies, preventing the introduction of non-native species into the Antarctic environment and how to prevent and respond to oil spills. We are advisors to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCMs) and to the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) through our Permanent Observer status.

News & Events

  • Antarctic Summer Science Lecture Series

    21 November 2024

    The COMNAP Secretariat is proud to present the Antarctic Summer Science Lecture Series.

    Gateway Antarctica and COMNAP, in collaboration with the Embassy of the United States in Wellington, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U. S. Antarctic Program (USAP), Antarctica New Zealand, and the Antarctic Office, present free public lectures on current Antarctic research. This is a three-part series with lectures from researchers who are in Christchurch on the way to Antarctica to start the 2024/25 Antarctic research season.

    Next lecture will be on Wednesday 11 December | 5.30pm – 6.30pm | University of Canterbury | Central Lecture Theatres | Room C3 presented by AProfessor Jenny Adams, University of Canterbury & Professor Albrecht Karle, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    For more information, visit the Antarctic Summer Science Lecture Series webpage.

  • Happy Antarctic fifth Polar Pride Day

    18 November 2024

    Happy Antarctic fifth Polar Pride Day to everyone!

    During the COMNAP AGM XXXIV (2022), COMNAP Members endorsed a draft policy entitled “Welcoming the Power of Diversity within our Membership” with a commitment to contribute to positive change and ensure everyone who works in Antarctica feels safe, respected and welcomed.

    Our Membership reflects the diversity of the Antarctic Treaty System community we serve and we share guidance and policies that embrace the concept of “Welcomed, safe & respected” in the Antarctic workforce.

  • COMNAP Middle Manager’s Award

    12 November 2024

    COMNAP is pleased to open the call for the COMNAP Middle Manager’s Award.

    The COMNAP Middle Manager’s Award is aimed at awarding members of COMNAP Member national Antarctic programs in senior or middle-management/middle career positions of all types.

    It is meant to provide support to the applicant to undertake a short-term visit to another COMNAP Member national Antarctic program facility (including an Antarctic station or facility) or to a related organisation to participate in training, mentoring or to exchange ideas or work on joint projects.

    The eligibility checklist and application forms are available here.

    Spread the word within your organisations!

  • COMNAP Secretariat at COP29

    11 November 2024

    The COMNAP Secretariat is attending, virtually, the UN Climate Change Conference Baku - COP29, 11-22 November 2024.

    COP, which stands for Conference of Parties, is the series of formal meetings Conference of Parties, where governments assess global efforts to advance the Paris Agreement and the Convention.

    The management implications of a changing Antarctic region is an important topic for the COMNAP Membership.

    A better understanding of the mechanisms behind negotiations at COP29 and presentations of issues and topic, is relevant to assist national Antarctic programs in their effort to protect the Antarctic environment.

  • COMNAP EXCOM Meeting - October 2024

    30 October 2024

    The COMNAP EXCOM met in-person, hosted by COMNAP Member programme, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in Cambridge, England, 15−16 October 2024.

    COMNAP EXCOM had a successful meeting were future strategic opportunies have been discussed. These include the work of the Expert Groups and the COMNAP Projects, with the addition of a new agreed project: the COMNAP Antarctica InSync Collaboration.

    EXCOM also confirmed that the COMNAP AGM 37 (2025) will be held in Warsaw, Poland, 5–8 August 2025. The AGM schedule will include a one-day Symposium themed “Our Antarctic Future”.

    You can read more on the Meeting Notes Brief Summary (Members’ Only, username and password required).

  • Antarctic Research Season Underway

    1 October 2024

    National Antarctic Programs operating in the Ross Sea Region, the Peninsula and in East Antarctica are sending their Antarctic summer season 2024/25 personnel south to begin busy research campaigns. Those who have spent the winter in Antarctica will also be completing their time on the ice and will soon be heading north after a successful winter-over.

    The National Antarctic Programs have ambitious plans for science and science support, modernization projects, land traverse, and marine and air-supported activities and are contributing to our understanding of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Watch this video just released by the Australian Antarctic Division as their season gets underway.

    We wish all COMNAP Members' expeditioners a safe, successful and enjoyable research season 2024/25.