Finland in Antarctica

Finland acceded the Antarctic Treaty 15 May 1984 and became a consultative party in 1989 with the establishment of the Finnish Antarctic Research Programme, FINNARP, and the research station Aboa in Dronning Maud Land. Finland is one of 29 consultative parties of the Antarctic Treaty. The consultative status entitles Finland to participate and vote on decisions on the regulation of Antarctica at the consultative meetings. Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings are organized every year and the consultative meeting is the primary forum where the governance of Antarctica is discussed.

A steep rock, snowy landscape and blue sky.
Photo: FINNARP
Containers and vehicles in an antarctic landsscape.
The Finnish research station Aboa in Antarctica. Photo: FINNARP

Finland started active Antarctic research when research station Aboa was founded in 1988. The FINNARP (Finnish Antarctic research program) operations office is responsible for the logistics and maintenance of Aboa. FINNARP operates in connection with the Finnish Meteorological Institute under the Ministry of Transport and Communications. FINNARP's main responsibilities are to carry out Finnish Antarctic research activities in accordance with the Finnish Antarctic Strategy, to maintain Aboa, arrange field research and supervise that both national and international law and obligations are complied with.

In Finnish Antarctic research, the emphasis is especially on the areas of strength where Finland can conduct high-quality international scientific research. Antarctic research strengthens cold climate expertise in Finland. In recent years, research has focused on geodesy, geology, bi-polar meteorology, athmospheric chemistry, marine biology and marine and structural technology.

The authority responsible for Finnish Antarctic research is the Ministry of Education. The Academy of Finland, an agency of the Ministry of Education and Culture, is the main financier of Antarctic research projects.