At the invitation of Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the Director of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Professor Hajo Eicken, took part in a delegation trip to northern Norway.
NPI Director Camilla Brekke welcomed the delegation in Tromsø and, together with other NPI scientists, presented the Institute’s research programme in the Arctic and Antarctic. The main focus was on long-term ocean observations in the Atlantic sector of the Arctic, as well as atmospheric research at the Ny-Ålesund research station. The programme also included an exchange on the important cooperation between Germany and Norway in polar research and space activities. The existing partnership is to be further strengthened and expanded.
“Germany and Norway are connected by many years of close and trusted cooperation in polar research,” said AWI Director Hajo Eicken. “Deepening this partnership is crucial, especially now, in order to jointly address the complex changes taking place in the Arctic.”
In addition, there was the opportunity for internal exchange between the NPI and the AWI. Accompanied by AWI colleagues Professor Dr Stefanie Arndt, Dr Marion Maturilli, Dirk Mengedoht and Dr Rebecca McPherson, AWI Director Professor Hajo Eicken used his introductory visit to meet with NPI Director Camilla Brekke and NPI research teams to discuss the cooperation between the two institutes, in particular in relation to upcoming large-scale research initiatives such as Antarctica InSync and the 5th International Polar Year 2032/33.
The long-standing cooperation between the NPI and the AWI is a cornerstone of Norwegian-German scientific collaboration. The two institutes are particularly active at the interface between long-term studies, satellite remote sensing and modelling. It is precisely in this field that the research platforms of both countries, as well as new measurement campaigns, show considerable promise. This enables us to gain a better understanding of the future role of the Arctic in the Earth system, especially with regard to Europe.
