Topics

The agenda of topics discussed by the ATCM and the CEP mainly focuses on aspects related to scientific and operational activities, institutional matters, environmental protection and regulation of tourism and non-governmental activities. Other topics treated in the ATCM and the CEP deal mostly with activities in Antarctica besides scientific research.

Peaceful use and Inspections

The Antarctic Treaty provides that “Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only” (Art. I). To promote the objectives of the Treaty and to ensure that the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty are observed, Parties are obliged to inform each other of their activities in Antarctica and facilitate inspections by other Parties of their facilities.

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Science and Operations

Article II of the Treaty provides that “Freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica and cooperation toward that end … shall continue …” . According to Article III “scientific observations and results from Antarctica shall be exchanged and made freely available.”

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Environmental Protection

Through the Environment Protocol the Contracting Parties “commit themselves to the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems and … designate Antarctica as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science”. The Protocol prohibits all activities relating to Antarctic mineral resources, except for scientific research.

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Tourism and Non-Governmental Activities

Commercial tourism using both ships and aircraft has increased steadily since the first commercial expeditions in the 1950s. Aside from establishing guidelines for tourist expeditions, the ATCM also provides for tourist expeditions to submit reports on their visits.

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Bioprospecting

In recent years the ATCM has discussed issues arising from biological prospecting in Antarctica. The extreme environmental conditions in Antarctica have caused many species of flora and fauna and micro-organisms to evolve unique characteristics and capabilities which may be used for biotechnological development. The 28th ATCM adopted a resolution calling on the Treaty Parties to remind their national Antarctic programmes and other research institutes engaged in Antarctic biological prospecting activities of the provisions of Article III.1 of the Treaty concerning scientific exchanges and the availability of scientific observations and results from Antarctica.

Minerals

The Consultative Parties negotiated in the 1970s and 1980s a regime for the exploitation of the mineral resources of Antarctica. This is the Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities (CRAMRA), which was signed in Wellington on June 2, 1988 (SATCM IV-12). No states ratified the convention and it did not enter into force. However, it gave rise to negotiations that led to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, which entered into force in 1998. The Protocol declares that “Any activity relating to mineral resources other than scientific research shall be prohibited” (Art. 7)."

Climate Change

The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties expressed "their intention to work together to better understand changes to the Earth´s climate and to actively seek ways to address the effects of climate and environmental change on the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems". (From the Washington Ministerial Declaration on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty adopted at Washington on April 6, 2009)