Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Antarctica
The Representatives,
Acknowledging that Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (“ATCM”) XLIII will be held virtually due to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) crisis, one of the most devastating pandemics in history;
Acknowledging that the ATCM to be held in 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
Further acknowledging the significant implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for the facilitation of scientific research and international scientific cooperation in Antarctica since March 2020;
Celebrating the strong international cooperation and information sharing in the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty System that has managed risks to people in Antarctica and to Antarctic wildlife resulting from COVID-19 and that will support the management of any future similar risks;
Acknowledging and appreciating the important roles played by the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (“COMNAP”), the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (“SCAR”) and the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (“IAATO”) to that end;
Desiring to continue momentum on our priority work in the furtherance of the principles and objectives of the Antarctic Treaty and to continue to take a strong precautionary approach to manage COVID-19 related risks;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. undertake to make progress on key issues of importance for the management of Antarctica and minimise the disruption to the work of the ATCM and Committee on Environmental Protection (“CEP”) brought about by the global COVID-19 pandemic;
2. undertake to that end to continue using innovative means to cooperate amongst Parties, Observers, and invited expert organisations, including through intersessional processes;
3. commit to ongoing cooperation to ensure that COVID-19 risks to people in Antarctica and to Antarctic wildlife are minimised;
4. encourage the continued cooperation, information sharing and development of best practices between National Antarctic Programmes, COMNAP, SCAR and IAATO to minimise the risk that COVID-19 presents to Antarctica and to support the safe continuation of scientific research; and
5. further encourage National Antarctic Programmes, COMNAP, SCAR and IAATO to continue to develop protocols and guidelines, drawing on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 experience in preparation for any future similar eventualities.
The Representatives,
Acknowledging that Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (“ATCM”) XLIII will be held virtually due to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) crisis, one of the most devastating pandemics in history;
Acknowledging that the ATCM to be held in 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
Further acknowledging the significant implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for the facilitation of scientific research and international scientific cooperation in Antarctica since March 2020;
Celebrating the strong international cooperation and information sharing in the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty System that has managed risks to people in Antarctica and to Antarctic wildlife resulting from COVID-19 and that will support the management of any future similar risks;
Acknowledging and appreciating the important roles played by the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (“COMNAP”), the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (“SCAR”) and the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (“IAATO”) to that end;
Desiring to continue momentum on our priority work in the furtherance of the principles and objectives of the Antarctic Treaty and to continue to take a strong precautionary approach to manage COVID-19 related risks;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. undertake to make progress on key issues of importance for the management of Antarctica and minimise the disruption to the work of the ATCM and Committee on Environmental Protection (“CEP”) brought about by the global COVID-19 pandemic;
2. undertake to that end to continue using innovative means to cooperate amongst Parties, Observers, and invited expert organisations, including through intersessional processes;
3. commit to ongoing cooperation to ensure that COVID-19 risks to people in Antarctica and to Antarctic wildlife are minimised;
4. encourage the continued cooperation, information sharing and development of best practices between National Antarctic Programmes, COMNAP, SCAR and IAATO to minimise the risk that COVID-19 presents to Antarctica and to support the safe continuation of scientific research; and
5. further encourage National Antarctic Programmes, COMNAP, SCAR and IAATO to continue to develop protocols and guidelines, drawing on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 experience in preparation for any future similar eventualities.
