Federal President - Steinmeier visits marine research in Kiel
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier highlighted the significance of the Geomar Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research during a visit to Kiel. "I know from my foreign travels that Geomar is not only important for German ocean research, but I have also encountered collaborations, particularly with countries in West Africa, whose livelihoods depend on a sustained high water quality and fishing," Steinmeier said after a tour of the new building of the renowned institution. Cooperation projects between the Kiel Institute and research institutions in West Africa and Cape Verde are therefore particularly important.
Steinmeier was informed about the cultivation of seagrass meadows in the Baltic Sea and the school programs of the Kiel researchers. Two student girls showed the state president an experiment with plankton under the microscope. "That's quite a party," Steinmeier said after looking through the device. "I think they gave them something."
During the visit, the work of the researchers in the tropical Atlantic Ocean was also discussed. Arne Körtzinger, coordinator of the research field "Marine Biochemistry," showed Steinmeier the work at the West Coast of Africa, where Geomar collaborates with the Cape Verdeans on a research station. "Half a billion people in Africa are fed from this ecosystem," Körtzinger said. The region is affected by overfishing, including by Europeans, and ocean acidification. The topics of the tour included the protection of the deep sea and resources from the sea.
The federal president said: "I'm happy that research is being conducted here, but I'm also happy that youth development is taking place here in Kiel, with student girls and boys from the surrounding schools regularly coming here and participating in smaller research projects and obviously with joy, curiosity, and ambition." The conversations had shown him that many who had worked here for a while could imagine starting a degree program in the natural sciences, in biology or biochemistry.
- The Geomar Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel plays a significant role in ocean research, not just in Germany, but also in collaborations with countries in West Africa, where the environment and fishing are crucial for their livelihoods.
- During his visit, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was briefed on the cultivation of seagrass meadows in the Baltic Sea and the school programs led by Kiel researchers, which involve local students engaging with plankton experiments.
- Arne Körtzinger, the coordinator of the research field "Marine Biochemistry" at Geomar, discussed the work being done in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the collaboration with Cape Verdeans at a research station, highlighting the importance of the region, which feeds half a billion people in Africa.
- Steinmeier expressed his satisfaction with both the research being conducted and the youth development taking place at Geomar, noting the enthusiasm and ambition of local students participating in smaller projects.
- The deep sea and its resources were among the topics covered during Steinmeier's tour of the Geomar Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, a vital area of focus for marine research due to its potential environmental and economic impact.
- In the context of ocean research, West Africa and Cape Verde are important partners for Germany, as the sustainability of their marine ecosystems is fundamental to the well-being of their populations and the global food supply.
- Cooperation between German institutions like Geomar and research institutions in Africa is crucial for advancing our understanding of the ocean, addressing challenges such as overfishing and ocean acidification, and paving the way for sustainable solutions for future generations.
