The Spanish Polar Committee (CPE) was created in 1998 as a basis for the coordination of all Spanish activities in the polar zones, 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 for Research.
The purpose of the CPE is to promote and ensure the coordination of the General State Administration and its linked or dependent public bodies and institutions governed by public law, in the planning, authorisation, coordination and monitoring of the R&D&I activities carried out by the Kingdom of Spain in the polar, Antarctic and Arctic areas, 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 members representing the various ministries and institutions involved in Spanish polar activity.
The CPE has competencies in relation to Antarctica and the Arctic. In the first case, as a result of Spain's accession 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 CPE maintains the responsibilities derived from the admission of Spain as an observer country to the 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 to advise and support the National Polar Authority in the promotion and development of polar research and in the coordination of the necessary means for its development.
