Hoang Thi Minh Hong stands at the South Pole in 1997

Hoang Thi Minh Hong, the first Vietnamese person to ever stand at the South Pole, will return to Antarctica as a member of the International Antarctic Treaty Expedition this month together with four of her compatriots.

Organized by the 2041 organization, the expedition with more than 60 members from 18 countries will leave for Antarctica on November 16 and return two weeks later.

Their mission is to create global awareness of the Antarctic Treaty and the need to protect Antarctica and never exploit the icy continent for its mineral resources.

Before they leave, the expedition will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty’s signing on December 1, 1959.

They will also spend time discussing the treaty’s legacy and the lessons it offers, and the importance of encouraging all nations to respect the treaty and preserve Antarctica intact for future generations.

Hong first stepped on Antarctic ice as a participant in UNESCO’s “South Pole Challenge 1997.”

The 2041 organization was founded by polar explorer, environmentalist and public speaker Robert Swan, the first person in history to walk to both the North and South poles.

Swan has dedicated his life to the preservation of Antarctica through the promotion of recycling, renewable energy and sustainability to combat the effects of climate change.

Source: Agencies