WELCOME to the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) website
The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs is an international association, formed in 1988, which facilitates support to Antarctic operations amongst the governmental National Antarctic Programs. Our Membership is thirty-four country programs, representing almost 100% of the science and science support activity in Antarctica. The National Antarctic Programs, our Members, are responsible for delivering and supporting scientific research in the Antarctic Treaty Area on behalf of their respective governments and in the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty. They work collaboratively and individually to ensure data from Antarctica is available to the world.
Projects
COMNAP Projects support our Membership, engage the public, and ensure we are providing best practice advice to the Antarctic Treaty system.
Expert Groups
People within the COMNAP Membership have a depth and breadth of expertise found nowhere else. A fundamental aspect of our organisation is to support the free exchange of information between these experts.
Ambitions
Our Ambitions include caring for the environment, supporting our Members to succeed, and fostering strong community relationships while contributing towards a positive, enduring Antarctic future.
Documents and resources
Over the years, we have worked with our Membership and the wider Antarctic community to produce a range of informative brochures, booklets, books and even the Antarctic Station game. Some of our publications provide guidance to our Members on things like waste management, critical technologies, preventing the introduction of non-native species into the Antarctic environment and how to prevent and respond to oil spills. We are advisors to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCMs) and to the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) through our Permanent Observer status.
News & Events
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COMNAP SAR WORKSHOP 6 FINAL REPORT
6 October 2026
The Final Report from the 6th Antarctic Search & Rescue Workshop, held from 4–7 August 2026 and hosted by COMNAP Member Norwegian Polar Institute, is now available.
The report captures key discussions, lessons learned, and recommendations from the workshop, which highlighted that effective Antarctic SAR operations depend not only on assets, technology, and procedures, but also on the people, relationships, trust, cooperation, and information sharing established before emergencies occur.
Read the SAR Workshop 6 (2026) Full Report here. -
Updated COMNAP HPAI Guidance Now Available for Members
30 September 2026
COMNAP has reviewed and updated our Guidance on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Preparedness in Antarctic Operations.
The updated version is version 6, released to Members on 30 September 2026, through the COMNAP Members’ Only document site. Log in and download a copy today.
Further information on the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Preparedness, Monitoring & Response COMNAP project is available from here.
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COMNAP EXCOM Meeting
16 September 2026
In less than a week time, the COMNAP EXCOM will meet in Christchurch, New Zealand, for their annual in-person meeting.
COMNAP strategic activities and direction, how to best support any COMNAP Member programs who choose to participate in International Polar Year (IPY) 5, and COMNAP role as one of only 3 Observer organisations to the annual ATCMs and to the CEP, are some of the topics that will be discussed.
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RINGS Project
2 September 2026
A new International Scientific review coordinated through RINGS, a project endorsed by COMNAP, has been published and the open access paper is available online.
The RINGS project team is also holding three pre-season meetings on UTC 24 September 0700, 1500, and 2200hrs for anyone who is interested in learning more on RINGS activities for the upcoming season.