The Spanish Polar Committee (CPE) was created in 1998 as the basis for the coordination of all Spanish activities in the polar areas, constituting the Spanish Polar Authority. Royal Decree 852/2020 regulates its composition and operation. Currently the CPE is attached to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the General Secretariat of Research.
The purpose of the CPE is to promote and ensure the coordination of the General Administration of the State and its public agencies and public law entities linked or dependent, in the planning, authorization, coordination and monitoring of the R+D+I activities developed by the Kingdom of Spain in the polar areas, Antarctica and Arctic, which allow to ensure the achievement of the objectives and the application of the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty and other international agreements.
The CPE consists of a Presidency, a Technical Secretariat and a series of representatives of the various ministries and institutions involved in the Spanish polar activity.
The CPE has competence over Antarctica and the Arctic. In the first case, as a result of the accession of Spain to the Antarctic Treaty in 1982 and the signing of the Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on Environmental Protection in 1991.
In the case of the Arctic, the EPC maintains the responsibilities arising from the admission of Spain as an observer country to the Arctic Council (Arctic Council) in October 2006 and, since 2009, those corresponding to the Council of the IASC (International Arctic Science Committee).
Among the objectives of the Spanish Polar Committee is the advice and support to the National Polar Authority in the promotion and development of polar research and in the coordination of the necessary means for its development.
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