Türkiye Launches Fifth National Arctic Scientific Research Expedition

Türkiye’s fifth National Arctic Scientific Research Expedition has officially kicked off, with 12 scientists leading 19 projects in the Arctic Ocean as part of the country's expanding polar research initiatives.

The expedition is being carried out under the auspices of the Turkish Presidency and led by the Industry and Technology Ministry in coordination with the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK) MAM Polar Research Institute, The Caspian Post reports, citing Anadolu.

The research team departed from Istanbul and traveled through Oslo and Tromso before reaching Longyearbyen in Svalbard, at 78 degrees north latitude, where scientific activities are now underway.

In a post on X, Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir announced the launch of the expedition, following the successful completion of Türkiye’s ninth National Antarctic Science Expedition earlier this year.

He said the scientific team will collect seawater and sediment samples, examine microplastics on the ocean surface, and track atmospheric dynamics using GNSS and meteorological systems. “The traces of climate change will be tracked in the polar regions,” Kacir said.

He also highlighted the participation of three high school students, winners of Türkiye’s TEKNOFEST technology competition, who will test their projects under Arctic conditions and contribute to the expedition’s scientific efforts.

The mission includes joint projects with researchers from Argentina, Bulgaria, and Ecuador, which Kacir described as a strong example of Türkiye’s commitment to science diplomacy.

He said the country, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s leadership, will continue expanding its polar presence through science-driven initiatives.