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Alejandro Maass, a CMM and CRG researcher, was part of the scientific delegation accompanying the presidents.
Alejandro Maass, principal researcher at the Center for Mathematical Modeling (CMM) of the University of Chile and the Millennium Institute for Genomic Regulation (IM-CRG), together with prominent researchers Dr. Elie Poulin and Dr. Léa Cabrol from the Millennium Institute BASE, joined the scientific delegation supporting the presidents of Chile and France, Gabriel Boric and Emmanuel Macron, respectively, during their visit to the AGB 46 Almirante Viel ship in Valparaíso, reinforcing scientific collaboration between both nations.
The event, held on Thursday, November 21, was led by Unit Commander Captain Juan Pablo Enríquez, who guided the leaders on a tour of the various chambers and laboratories aboard the icebreaker, designed for research in oceanography, hydrography, biomass and marine fauna, as well as physics, chemistry, geology, and geophysics. This Antarctic scientific vessel, the largest built in Chile and South America, is part of the National Continuous Naval Construction Plan.
The two presidents issued a joint declaration, titled by the French side as “The Call of Valparaíso,” an initiative focused on ocean preservation in preparation for the United Nations Conference on the Oceans, which will take place in Nice in 2025.
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“The ‘Almirante Viel’ not only showcases our country’s technical and scientific capacity, but also our profound commitment to Antarctica, the ocean, and the sustainability of resources that are a shared heritage of humanity (…) It is a commitment shared with France and, particularly, with President Macron to face the climate crisis, shifting economic landscapes, and global geopolitical scenarios that demand a sense of responsibility beyond the national level, because protecting Antarctica and the oceans is also about safeguarding the future of life on our planet,” stated the Chilean Head of State.
In this vein, Gabriel Boric added, “Chile and France were among the first countries to sign and ratify the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the BBNJ Agreement or High Seas Treaty. I would like to thank France for its stated support in making Valparaíso the global headquarters for the BBNJ. For Chile, this is a way to recognize our prominent role in the Pacific basin, our tricontinental nature, and our commitment as advocates for the protection of marine ecosystems.”
Macron, in turn, remarked, “We are going to strive to convince as many countries as possible to ratify the BBNJ Agreement. If 60 countries ratify it, it will come into effect. Therefore, between now and June 8, 2025, we want to mobilize those countries. This will allow us to uphold our commitments to biodiversity protection.”
“A year ago, we announced the construction of a new ice-breaking vessel to operate in Pacific waters and the Southern Ocean, which will be named ‘Michel Rocard’ in honor of the former French Prime Minister. I propose that the ‘Almirante Viel’ and the ‘Michel Rocard’ embark together on a significant Antarctic research campaign for Franco-Chilean collaboration by 2030. I was delighted to see the magnificent cooperation that exists between your universities, research centers, and, of course, the Chilean Navy,” added the French president.
Franco-Chilean Collaboration
During the visit, University of Chile researcher and academic Alejandro Maass highlighted “the role of the CMM as the first mixed unit of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Chile, working in multidisciplinary science, co-coordinating the TARA Ocean CEODOS expedition, and developing the Key Ocean Planktonic Areas (KOPAs) project funded by the French Environmental Fund.”
These projects, which aim to integrate mathematical modeling and omics sciences, are designed to generate tools that facilitate decision-making for the conservation of oceanic plankton, a vital element for marine ecosystems and climate balance.
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Center for Mathematical Modeling
The CMM is today the most active scientific research institution in mathematical modeling in Latin America. It is a center of excellence of the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) of Chile, integrated by eight partner universities and located at the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences of the University of Chile. It is also the International Research Laboratory (IRL) #2807 of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS).
Its mission is to create mathematics in response to problems in other sciences, industry and public policy. It seeks to develop science with the highest standards, excellence and rigor in areas such as data science, climate and biodiversity, education, resource management, mining and digital health.
Milena Murillo, journalist at the Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation.
Alonso Farías Ponce, journalist of the Center for Mathematical Modeling.
Posted on Nov 25, 2024 in News
