Countdown Begins: UAE National Joins Landmark Antarctic Expedition for Climate Action
A UAE national is set to embark on a transformative climate journey to one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems. On 1 December, Dr. Hussain Khansaheb, a seasoned marine engineer with nearly 20 years of experience, will join Ice Station 2025, a prestigious Antarctic expedition led by Robert Swan OBE, the first person in history to walk to both the North and South Poles.
Supported by Dubai Holding, this 12-day programme by the 2041 Foundation brings together global changemakers—scientists, students, innovators and climate advocates—to deepen climate knowledge and foster sustainable leadership.
A Mission Bridging Two Desert Ecosystems
The expedition offers a rare opportunity to draw parallels between two contrasting yet climate-sensitive environments: the UAE’s hot desert and Antarctica’s icy desert. Through hands-on learning, scientific exploration, and polar survival training, Dr. Khansaheb will gain firsthand insights into the profound impacts of climate change.
As Dubai Holding’s inaugural National Sustainability Champion and Executive Director of Marine Engineering at Dubai Holding Real Estate, he will use these insights to advance climate education and inspire community action in the UAE.
A Journey Into Earth’s Climate Frontline
The journey begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, from where Dr. Khansaheb will fly to Antarctica. For seven days, he will explore the Union Glacier region, undertaking hikes to landmarks such as Elephant’s Head, Rhodes Bluff, Fossil Garden, Buchanan Hills, and Drake Icefall, depending on weather conditions.
He will also observe NASA’s dry permafrost research, contributing to a deeper understanding of global climate systems.
Activities will include:
Glacier travel training
Cross-country skiing
Overnight camping under Antarctica’s 24-hour daylight
Supporting ongoing scientific research
Strengthening UAE’s Climate Leadership
Upon returning, Dr. Khansaheb will share his learnings through school talks, community events, and thought-leadership sessions—aimed at strengthening public understanding of environmental challenges, particularly in line with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategy.
Why Antarctica Matters for the UAE
Antarctica contains 90% of the Earth’s ice, and its accelerating melt poses serious risks to low-lying coastal regions, including the UAE. Rising sea levels, changing weather systems, and ecosystem disruptions make the continent’s future a global concern.
Through this expedition, Dr. Khansaheb hopes to highlight how interconnected our planet is—and how solutions developed for Antarctica’s extremes can also support resilience in the UAE’s desert ecosystem.
This mission also reinforces the UAE’s commitment to global environmental cooperation through its support of the Antarctic Treaty System and the Emirates Polar Programme.
