The Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) is participating in the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) for the first time, offering a platform for scientific research into climate change, its Commanding Officer, Commander Radko Muevski, told BTA ahead of the vessel’s arrival in Antalya for the conference.
“We are participating in this UN conference for the first time, being a vessel which has provided a platform for experiments, projects and research both in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, around the South Shetland Islands and Livingston Island, and in the world’s oceans during our voyages from Varna to Antarctica over the past five years,” Muevski said.
“We can say that our vessel is joining this conference precisely in this capacity, and we support all these efforts by all nations and scientists around the world who are seeking to contribute to studying these climate changes in as much detail as possible and, if possible, to enable clear decisions to be taken by senior government and military leaders so that these climate changes can somehow be slowed down or, at times, steered in the right direction for humanity.”
The vessel is expected to reach Antalya on Sunday evening and ride at anchor for three full days. During this time, students from various Turkish schools and Turkish researchers will visit the ship and learn about its work during the last four Antarctic expeditions.
“On board the vessel, the children will be introduced to the capabilities of our ship and the research it has supported. They will also be able to see first-hand the equipment, including our boats and the gear we use in these research activities along with scientists,” Muevski said. “We also expect visits from Turkish scientists on November 9 and 10, as the Bulgarian Antarctic Programme works in close cooperation with the Turkish Antarctic Programme.”
“This will be a working meeting to discuss future joint projects and the work we have done together so far. This year, we are continuing this cooperation by transporting cargo to Antarctica for the Turkish programme, while at the same time Bulgarian scientists are taking part in their research on Horseshoe Island,” Muevski said. “Bulgarian scientists also take part in their annual Arctic expedition.”
Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev is expected to visit RSV 421 on November 11, while the vessel is anchored in Antalya.
“Prime Minister Radev will visit the vessel. Through him we will receive the State’s support for continuing research in Antarctica and, more broadly, research related to climate change,” Commander Muevski added.
The research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii is scheduled to resume its voyage to Antarctica on November 12. Muevski also said that more scientific projects were expected to be carried out on board this year than in previous years.
“The volume of work on the projects carried out on board has increased by around 20-30%,” Muevski said. “We always take into account hydrometeorological conditions and the specific time frame for each experiment. It is a very dynamic process in which every project has to be planned and prioritized very quickly. This is a very dynamic and interesting process, and I am looking forward to getting out into the field and putting our capabilities to work.”
The RSV 421 departed from Varna on November 4 on its fifth voyage to Antarctica, as part of the 35th Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition.
The vessel set course for Antarctica to help support the Bulgarian polar expedition and the research activities at the Bulgarian St Kliment Ohridski Base on Livingston Island. The Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna has emphasized that RSV 421’s mission is essential for developing Bulgaria’s polar presence, conducting scientific research and strengthening the country’s role as an active participant in international Antarctic cooperation.
A BTA national press club has been operating aboard RSV 421 since 2022. Media representatives are also taking part in its fifth expedition. They are reporter Simona-Alex Mihaleva and photojournalist Milena Stoykova, who will remain aboard the Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii until Antalya.

Bulgaria’s RSV 421 Joins COP31 as Platform for Climate Change Research, Commanding Officer Says THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-11-08 02:29:11

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