The International Polar Year (IPY) launching in Brazil took place at the Ministry of Science and Technology of Brazil, on March1st 2007. Brazilian authorities, members of the scientific community and students attended the launching. The Director of ICSU-LAC, Prof. Alice Abreu, was also present, representing the ICSU family. Dr. Luiz Antonio Barreto de Castro, representing the Ministry of Science and Technology, presided the ceremony and congratulated ICSU for sponsoring IPY together with the WCO. He expressed the satisfaction of Brazil to be participating on this event. According Dr. Luiz Antonio Barreto de Castro, IPY and the Antarctica research is a very important opportunity to work internationally with the best groups around the world. Brazil has been present in Antarctica for 25 years and the Brazilian government is making extraordinary efforts to help funding the best Brazilian research groups in Antartica.