The National Antarctic Research Program (PNRA) turns 40

The 40th anniversary of the National Antarctic Research Program (PNRA) was celebrated today in Rome at the National Research Council (CNR). Promoted by the National Scientific Commission for Antarctica (CSNA), the event opened with a message from the Minister of University and Research (MUR), Anna Maria Bernini, followed by speeches from Isabella Rauti, Undersecretary of Defense, and Marco Mancini, Secretary General of the MUR. Francesco Petracchini, Director of the Department of Earth System Sciences and Environmental Technologies (DSSTTA-CNR), attended on behalf of the President of the CNR.

Representatives of the three PNRA bodies (CNR, ENEA, and OGS) and the participating institutions described the results achieved over the past 40 years, outlining the objectives for the next decade and the tools to achieve them.

For OGS, President Nicola Casagli spoke, emphasizing that “the PNRA must be preserved, strengthened, and further developed. Not only because it represents an essential structure for Italy’s presence in Antarctica, but because it embodies a model of public research that has managed to withstand changes in governance, shifts in political priorities, and transformations in funding mechanisms. And today more than ever, it remains an indispensable reference point for building a solid and competitive research future.”

During the event, live connections were also made with the Antarctic stations Concordia and Mario Zucchelli, as well as with the icebreaker Laura Bassi.

The event concluded with the inauguration of the interactive exhibition "Antarctica, the White Continent. 40 Years of Research" which will be open to the public starting tomorrow.