The Arctic region is at the centre of numerous scientific challenges [insert link to related article], yet the remoteness of these territories, the harsh climatic conditions that prevail there and the specific geopolitical contexts in which they exist can make them difficult to access.
Drawing on a long history of polar exploration, first at sea and later on land, notably in Greenland and then in Svalbard, France established a dedicated agency in 1992 to strengthen and support scientific research in the polar regions. Building on the legacy of Paul-Émile Victor’s French Polar Expeditions and the research programmes of the French Southern and Antarctic Territories, the French Polar Institute now places its expertise and resources at the service of scientific research in three regions of the globe: the Arctic, the French subantarctic islands and Antarctica.
In the Arctic, the Institute funds research projects and, depending on operational requirements, provides logistical support for scientific teams and their equipment, while also offering accommodation facilities, particularly at the AWIPEV station in Svalbard.
AWIPEV: A FRANCO-GERMAN SCIENTIFIC STATION IN SVALBARD
The Svalbard archipelago is Norwegian territory governed by the Treaty of Paris, signed in 1920 by 14 countries and subsequently ratified by around forty nations. Under the terms of the treaty, nationals of the signatory states have the right to exploit natural resources “on a footing of absolute equality”. The treaty also establishes the complete demilitarisation of the archipelago while authorising the establishment of scientific bases.
Today, nine countries maintain regular scientific activity within the scientific community of Ny-Ålesund, a former mining settlement that now hosts around twenty research institutions. With the support of the Franco-Norwegian Foundation, the French Polar Institute expanded the existing French presence through the Jean Corbel station, located 5 km from Ny-Ålesund, and the Charles Rabot station within the village itself.
In 2003, to mark the fortieth anniversary of the Franco-German Friendship Treaty, the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) and the French Polar Institute decided to pool their resources on the island of Spitsbergen. The result was AWIPEV, a joint Franco-German research station.
AWIPEV provides scientific services and facilities that support research across a wide range of disciplines, particularly in the life sciences and atmospheric sciences. The station in Ny-Ålesund can accommodate around fifteen scientists. Available facilities include offices, workshops, a laboratory equipped for geophysical observations and biological or chemical research, storage areas and transport resources such as snowmobiles, skis and boats.
Research teams can also make use of the Jean Corbel station, located 5 km south-east of Ny-Ålesund. Covering an area of 150 square metres, it can accommodate up to eight people during the summer season. Powered entirely by renewable energy and free from local anthropogenic pollution, the station provides ideal conditions for atmospheric chemistry measurements as well as research in glaciology, geology and related disciplines.
Shared services for all stations in Ny-Ålesund — including the airport, power generation, catering facilities, leisure amenities, additional marine resources and building maintenance — are provided by Kings Bay, the Norwegian company that owns the land and infrastructure.
AWIPEV is one of the few stations in Ny-Ålesund occupied year-round. French and German scientific teams are welcomed by three overwintering staff members. The Station Leader coordinates missions, receives visiting teams and ensures that all safety procedures are followed. The Observatory Engineer carries out scientific measurements for atmospheric research projects and oversees the operation of the station’s scientific instruments. The Logistics Engineer is responsible for marine and overland transport resources and ensures the smooth movement of equipment and supplies.
