A protocol was signed between TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute (KARE) and the Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM) to develop cooperation for monitoring atmospheric parameters, examining meteorological cycles and researching past climate data in the Antarctic continent.
The protocol signing ceremony was held with the participation of TÜBİTAK President Prof. Hasan Mandal, Turkish State Meteorological Service General Director Volkan Mutlu Coşkun and TÜBİTAK Vice President and TÜBİTAK MAM President Prof. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil; and Prof. Mandal expressed his pleasure from the institutionalization of the cooperation with MGM at the polar regions. Emphasizing that the facilities of MGM are used to obtain meteorological data from the poles, Mandal said, “Climate change and environmental problems are among the complex, dynamic and variable topics of today. Climate change affects various areas such as agriculture, food and migration. We consider MGM as a strategic stakeholder in climate-related processes.” Stating the observation of the meteorological parameters of the Antarctic continent is very important in understanding climate change, Mandal added that this protocol is quite significant in evaluating the data and enhancing the cooperation for the future.
MGM General Director Volkan Mutlu Coşkun stated that an Automatic Meteorological Station was established in Antarctica with the contributions of MGM, and that MGM personnel also participated in the National Antarctic Science Expeditions, including the last expedition. Stating TÜBİTAK MAM KARE has made a name for itself with its successful works in Polar regions, Coşkun expressed his belief that the two institutions will carry out successful works together.
TÜBİTAK Vice President and TÜBİTAK MAM President Prof. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil said, “We want to strengthen our cooperation with TÜBİTAK in the field of climate and sustainability. I believe that we will diversify this cooperation with our projects in the field of meteorology.”
At the end of the protocol ceremony, TÜBİTAK President Prof. Hasan Mandal presented Coşkun a model of the TÜRKSAT 6A communication satellite. Coşkun reciprocated Mandal by presenting his book "Meteorology and Its Sectoral Reflections”.