The Development of a Multi-Year Strategic Work Plan for the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting

The Representatives,

Reaffirming the values, objectives and principles contained in the Antarctic Treaty and its Protocol on Environmental Protection;

Considering that a Multi-Year Strategic Work Plan (Plan) may contribute positively to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (“ATCM”), so that the ATCM focuses on matters of priority and timely importance, operates more effectively and efficiently and schedules its work appropriately;

Bearing in mind that the Plan is complementary to the ATCM agenda and that the Antarctic Treaty Parties and other ATCM participants are encouraged to contribute as usual to other matters on the ATCM agenda;

Recalling ATCM XXXII in Baltimore (2009), where Parties expressed support for a Plan;

Decide:

1. to develop a Multi-Year Strategic Work Plan within existing resources;
2. to adopt the principles annexed to this Decision (Annex 1) to guide the completion of the Plan;
3. to establish an open-ended Intersessional Contact Group, co-convened by Australia and Belgium, as the Chairs of Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings XXXV and XXXVI respectively, to coordinate the further development of the Plan; and
4. to hold a workshop immediately prior to ATCM XXXVI, with the following terms of reference:
a) develop a draft Plan for consideration at ATCM XXXVI; and
b) report to ATCM XXXVI on the outcomes of this workshop.