Poland marks 95 years of Svalbard Treaty participation

The 95th anniversary of Poland joining the Svalbard Treaty marks the country's significant role in polar research. Signed on September 2, 1931, the treaty regulates the Svalbard archipelago, which is under Norwegian sovereignty but grants signatory nations equal economic and scientific rights while prohibiting military use.

Poland is currently one of 12 nations conducting permanent scientific research on Svalbard. The country maintains the year-round Hornsund Polar Station, four seasonal stations, and the BERA Logistics and Science Center in Longyearbyen, managed by a consortium led by the University of Silesia. Approximately 100 Polish scientists work in the region annually.