Dedicated process for the development of a comprehensive and consistent framework for Antarctic tourism and other non-governmental activities
The Representatives,
Noting that in Article 2 of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (“the Protocol”), the Parties committed themselves to the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems and designated Antarctica as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science;
Acknowledging that the concerns arising from, inter alia, the growth, diversification and compliance in relation to Antarctic tourism and other non-governmental activities in Antarctica require the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (“ATCM”) with urgency to take responsibility and strengthen international governance action;
Decide:
1. to start a dedicated process to develop a comprehensive and consistent framework for the regulation of tourism and other non-governmental activities in Antarctica;
2. that the Special Working Group on the Development of a Tourism Framework established pursuant to Rule 11 of the Rules of Procedure of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (2016) in Agenda Item 18 of the ATCM XLV Final Report will have its first meeting of two days during ATCM 46; and
3. to invite all Consultative Parties to develop proposals prior to the convening of that first meeting, to be exchanged through the normal means of diplomatic communication and other means, such as the ATCM Forum, in order to ensure due preparation of discussions. Parties may decide to organise one or several informal and voluntary virtual or hybrid workshop(s) to support their preparation for the first meeting.
The Representatives,
Noting that in Article 2 of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (“the Protocol”), the Parties committed themselves to the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems and designated Antarctica as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science;
Acknowledging that the concerns arising from, inter alia, the growth, diversification and compliance in relation to Antarctic tourism and other non-governmental activities in Antarctica require the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (“ATCM”) with urgency to take responsibility and strengthen international governance action;
Decide:
1. to start a dedicated process to develop a comprehensive and consistent framework for the regulation of tourism and other non-governmental activities in Antarctica;
2. that the Special Working Group on the Development of a Tourism Framework established pursuant to Rule 11 of the Rules of Procedure of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (2016) in Agenda Item 18 of the ATCM XLV Final Report will have its first meeting of two days during ATCM 46; and
3. to invite all Consultative Parties to develop proposals prior to the convening of that first meeting, to be exchanged through the normal means of diplomatic communication and other means, such as the ATCM Forum, in order to ensure due preparation of discussions. Parties may decide to organise one or several informal and voluntary virtual or hybrid workshop(s) to support their preparation for the first meeting.
