Who are the stakeholders involved on behalf of Belgium in the white continent?

Public bodies that represent Belgium in the Antarctic Treaty are:

• the Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation FPS;
• the Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment Federal Public Service;
• the Science Policy SPP;
• the Polar Secretariat.


The Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Federal Public Service

The Foreign Affairs FPS is implementing the Antarctic Treaty in Belgium. The FPS is the official representative of Belgium within the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM). It takes care of the bilateral and multilateral diplomatic relationships pertaining to this treaty.

The Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment Federal Public Service

The Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment Federal Public Service is implementing the Madrid Protocol on Environmental Protection in Belgium.

The FPS is Belgium's official representative within the EPOC (Environment Policy Committee). It also issues the environmental permits required for any tourist or scientific visit by Belgian citizens in Antarctica.

Federal Public Planning Service Science Policy

Many researchers and Belgian universities are very active in this field.

The Federal Public Planning Service Science Policy (BELSPO), through a multi-annual program, provides support for high-quality internationally recognised research teams.

Many Belgian scientists participate in international polar scientific research programs.

The BE-POLES project supported by BELSPO includes all Belgian polar researchers. This project compiles information on research activities carried out by these scientists.

This research covers various environmental themes. Belgium is thus the initiator of a project on biodiversity in Antarctica

The Polar Secretariat

The Belgian Polar Secretariat is a separately managed State Service. It was created to give the "Princess Elisabeth" Federal Research Station in Antarctica an administrative and financial framework that could quickly respond to its very specific needs. The Belgian Polar Secretariat manages the logistics and maintenance of the base, waste management, procurement as well as repair of the equipment. It also takes care of coordination, performance and promotion of scientific activities of the station as well as the dissemination of scientific knowledge pertaining to research in Antarctica and climate change.