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![[Translate to English:] Eisberg](/fileadmin/_processed_/9/7/csm_20220806_Eisberg_ChristianRRohleder_001_69a7a1ae09.jpg "Iceberg")
Focus
Short notices
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Open House at the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space
26. June 2026An AWI researcher represented the AWI at the Open House hosted by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR). She had the opportunity to speak with visitors and Federal Minister of Research Dorothee Bär about polar research. In a conversation with astronauts Alexander Gerst and Matthias Maurer, it became clear what space exploration and polar research have in common: working in extreme, remote locations.
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AWI exhibition at FONA forum 2026
26. June 2026On 24 and 25 June, the AWI exhibited a small selection of items at the FONA Forum 2026 in Berlin. The exhibits give an insight into the AWI’s research, particularly in the polar regions. Among others, the Federal Minister of Research Dorothee Bär visited the exhibition. FONA stands for ‘Research for Sustainability’ and refers to the new sustainability-focused strategy of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, which was presented and discussed at the forum.
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The environment shapes security
25. June 2026Global environmental changes, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing ecosystem pollution, pose significant security risks. These changes endanger people, social stability, economic performance, and the ability of states to act. The German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) emphasizes this point in its latest assessment. These changes must be prioritized in national and international security strategies. AWI scientist Hans-Otto Pörtner contributed to the report. See the WBGU press release.
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Talk with Canada's Arctic Ambassador
23. June 2026During a discussion titled "Arctic Security and Cooperation in a Time of Geopolitical Change," political and academic representatives in Berlin discussed scientific cooperation in the Arctic. The Aspen Institute Germany and the Canadian Embassy organized the event. The AWI was represented by Bernhard Diekmann, Volker Rachold, and Bennet Juhls. During their discussions with Virginia Mearns, Canada’s Arctic Ambassador, the focus was on joint projects, including the 2027 Arctic Pulse expeditions, as well as maintaining the continuity of bilateral Arctic research.
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200 Years of Georg von Neumayer
22. June 2026Pioneer of German Polar Research: 21 June marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of the German polar explorer Georg von Neumayer. A pioneer of international polar research, Neumayer played a key role in organising the first German Antarctic expedition (1901–1903). As co-organiser of the First International Polar Year (1882–83), he promoted international scientific cooperation in the polar regions. His legacy lives on today in the form of the AWI Antarctic station named after him — Neumayer Station III.
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Christoph Ploß and Uwe Schmidt visit the AWI
19. June 2026Christoph Ploß, the German Federal Government’s Coordinator for the Maritime Economy and Tourism, and Uwe Schmidt, Member of the Bundestag, visited the AWI in Bremerhaven. After meeting AWI Director Hajo Eicken and Administrative Director Karsten Wurr, they toured the research icebreaker Polarstern at the Lloyd shipyard. Also present on behalf of the AWI were Uwe Nixdorf, Deputy Director and Head of the Logistics and Research Platforms Department, and Detlef Wilde, Project Manager for POLARSTERN II. The discussions focused on the importance of maritime transport routes, spin-offs from research and the plans for constructing the new Polarstern.