Antarctica Day: „Polar Science, Environment and Politics“. December 1, 2025.
Estonian Academy of Sciences, Kohtu str 6, Tallinn
Attendance on-site is by invitation only. Everyone interested can follow the event via a live stream directly on this website.
The Antarctic Treaty, signed on December 1, 1959, dedicated the continent to peace and science “in the interest of all mankind”. This day is now celebrated globally as Antarctica Day, reminding us that Antarctica should remain a peaceful natural reserve, where environmental protection and scientific cooperation continue to inspire international agreements. In Estonia, December 1 also marks the founding of the Estonian Polar Club in 1984, which has tirelessly promoted awareness of polar regions.
To honour these values, the Estonian Academy of Sciences, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Estonian Ministry of Climate, and the Estonian Polar Club are jointly organising a half-day conference. The event will highlight the core principles of the Antarctic Treaty – peace, scientific cooperation, and environmental protection – and explore the challenges these ideals face in today’s polarised world. It will also reflect on Estonia’s role within the complex landscape of polar geopolitics.
Programme
| 12.00 | Registration, coffee |
| Master of Ceremony Aari Lemmik, Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs | |
| 12.30 | Opening remarks. Maarja Kruusmaa, Estonian Academy of Sciences |
| 12.40 | Keynote speech by Birgit Njåstad, Program leader, Antarctic Programme at the Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø, Norway |
| 13.20 | Panel 1: Polar power games: geopolitics in the frozen frontiers |
| Moderator: ICDS (tbc) Panelists: - Samu Paukkunen, Deputy Director of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs FIIA, former Head of Climate and Energy Security, NATO - Urmas Paet, Member of the European Parliament, rapporteur for the Parliament’s resolution on an integrated EU policy for the Arctic - Marko Mihkelson, Member of Riigikogu, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, tbc Dr. Maria Grigoratou, Executive Secretary, European Polar Board | |
| 14.20 | Coffee break |
| 14.45 | Panel 2: Antarctic environmental protection, climate change and Europe |
| Moderator Ass. Prof. Kati Lindström Panelists: - Dr. Birgit Njåstad, Program leader, Antarctic Programme at the Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø, Norway - Prof. Tarmo Soomere, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonian Academy of Sciences - Prof. Jonne Kotta, professor in Marine Ecology, University of Tartu - Dr. Priit Tisler, Antarctic Operations, Finnish Antarctic Research Program FINNARP | |
| 15.45–16.15 | Awarding of scholarships (Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
| 16.30–18.00 | Reception |
Press contacts
Estonian Academy of Sciences: krista.tamm@akadeemia.ee
Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: press@mfa.ee