MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Punta Arenas as gateway to Antarctica.

Punta Arenas is preparing for a month full of international activity that should help the city boost tourism and confirm its condition as gateway to Antarctica.

Next October Chile will be hosting the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation forum which is made up of the main countries in the Pacific basin including United States, Canada, Japan, India, China, and Punta Arenas has been selected as the city where tourism discussion will be taking place.

In coincidence with this major event, three scientific and academic activities related to Antarctica are also scheduled for the same month with the participation of 35 of the world's leading researchers in Antarctic affairs.

"The first event will take place between October 12 and 14 in the framework of Chile's Antarctic Research National Committee", said Paulina Julio, director of the Chilean Antarctic Institute that now has its main offices in Punta Arenas.

October 15th begins an international seminar on science and sustainable tourism which will take place between Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams.

Finally October 16 to 18, the Executive Committee of the National Antarctic Programs Council of Administrators will hold a meeting.

Among the distinguished participants to this event, Ms. Julio mentioned Edward Miller from the United Nations Biosphere Reserve Program, Karl Erb Director of Polar Programs from the US National Science Foundation, besides the heads of the Antarctic institutes from Australia, Japan and France.

Ms. Julio pointed out that several APEC member countries are closely linked to Antarctic activities and institutions.