On 1 June Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik will open the world’s northernmost arctic marine research station, the Arctic Marine Laboratory, in Ny-Ålesund on Svalbard.
11/05/2005 :: Those attending the opening and the climate seminar on the following day will include Minister of Justice Odd Einar Dørum, Minister of the Environment Knut Arild Hareide, State Secretary Bjørn Haugstad of the Ministry of Education and Research, and Chairman of the UN Climate Panel Rajendra Pachauri.
Upgraded infrastructure gives results
The Arctic Marine Laboratory in Ny-Ålesund is the result of Norway having invested close to NOK 200 million over the past 10-12 years in upgrading the infrastructure in the former mining community of Ny-Ålesund. The Arctic Marine Laboratory has been built by the state-owned company Kings Bay AS, which will also operate it.
Ny-Ålesund attracts researchers from around the world
Ny-Ålesund is located at 79 degrees north, which is further north than practically any other site suitable for research. The fields of research include climate, atmospheric, pollution, flora, fauna and marine research. Every year a large number of researchers from many countries come to Ny-Ålesund. Eight countries have permanent research stations there: Germany, France, England, Italy, Japan, South Korea, China and Norway.
Ocean currents make Ny-Ålensund ideal for marine studies
What was missing in the research community in Ny-Ålesund were facilities and equipment for marine research. Due to the fact that Atlantic and Arctic ocean currents converge off Svalbard, Ny-Ålesund is particularly well suited for studying marine micro-organisms, life in the ocean and climate changes that may be occurring.
The Arctic Marine Laboratory will cost NOK 33 million. The Norwegian State is the main contributor.