UKRAINE LOOKS FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH MALAYSIA ON POLAR RESEARCH

Olexander Nechytaylo.

6 FEB 2021

KUALA LUMPUR: Ukraine and Malaysia have great potential for collaboration in the area of Antarctic research, said Ukraine's Ambassador to Malaysia, Olexander Nechytaylo. Nechytaylo said that this year, Ukraine celebrates the 25th anniversary of its Antarctic research station.

"Ukraine is among the 30 countries that own and run year-round stations in Antarctica and is always open for cooperation with other countries, especially those which have no own base or facilities in the continent," he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama, recently. He said that though Ukrainian scientists have always played an important role in the Soviet research efforts, Ukraine did not get any of the 12 Soviet Antarctic installations following the break-up of the USSR. The diplomat said that the United Kingdom (UK), in recognition of the potential and capabilities of Ukrainian scientists, decided to hand over one of its best research stations, the Faraday, to Ukraine.

“On Feb 6, 1996, the blue and yellow flag was raised there, effectively starting its new beginning as Vernadsky station. “Ukraine took over the operation of the base, having paid to the UK a symbolic one pound. “Hopefully, this year we will sign the Memorandum of Understanding that will create a foundation and a roadmap for future cooperation with Malaysia (in the area of Antarctic research),” he said.

Commenting further, Nechytaylo said Malaysia launched its own Antarctic research through the establishment of Sultan Mizan Antarctica Research Foundation (YPASM) under the patronage of the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin. He said that last year, representatives of the YPASM were scheduled to visit Ukraine to meet the National Antarctic Scientific Centre team, which operates Vernadsky station -- but unfortunately, the trip was postponed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Nechytaylo said such collaboration will not only create the possibility for more research on Antarctica itself, but also gives an opportunity for scientists to explore global issues and challenges. Vernadsky research station, named after Dr Volodymyr Vernadsky, the first President of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, has the longest continuous meteorological observations in Antarctica, dating back to 1947. The station successfully conducts various types of research, namely in meteorological, biological, and geophysical aspects. Nechytaylo said a small team of 12 members operates Vernadsky station, located in the Galindez Island, throughout the year. “The renowned 'ozone hole' phenomenon was discovered here (Antarctica). Remarkably, there are only two species of flowering plants that survived on the icy continent (Antarctica), and Ukrainian scientists have been able to clone them. "Now, they are conducting a study on what made these plants resistant to frost, drought and ultraviolet radiation,” he said, adding that Antarctica’s territory occupies 10 per cent of the Earth's surface, and does not belong to any specific country. - Bernama