The Senate paid homage on Tuesday (13h) to the 25th anniversary of the Brazilian Antarctic Program (Proantar). The president of the House, senator Renan Calheiros, opened the session by stating that the program is “the accurate and definite answer to the affirmation of the country’s ability”.

After the homage, which happened on Tuesday at the Expedient Hour, an exhibition about Proantar was installed at the Black Hall of the National Congress. A commemorative stamp to mark the 4th International Polar Year was launched to celebrate the work done by scientists from all over the world who present and discuss points of research on the South and North Poles. The exhibition will be open to visitors until the 28th of March.

Comandante Ferraz Station, in Antarctica, monitored the whole ceremony via teleconference.   

Proantar was created in 1982 and has as its main goal the conduction of scientific and technological research in Antarctica, aimed at the comprehension of world repercussions phenomena or those, which occur in Brazilian territory. Currently, the program receives contributions from ministries, universities and also from public and private companies. 

The National Committee of Research in Antarctica (Conapa) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) have taken part in the program; trying to adjust the Brazilian scientific policies to the great international projects. The Defense Ministry acts with the help of the Navy, which manages, plans and finances the Antarctic operations, besides maintaining the Comandante Ferraz Station. The Ministry of Aeronautics supports the program with flights to Proantar.

The Environmental Ministry, the Ministry on External Affairs, the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry on Education also take part of the program.