The Antarctic Treaty System

Antarctica, the world's southern most continent. It's not a state. It has no capital. So, who governs Antarctica and how?

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The short answer is that Antarctica is governed by a small club of states that more or less adhere to a set of treaties usually described as the 'Antarctic Treaty System'. The foundation of that system, the Antarctic Treaty (1959), led the way for five additional legal instruments, four of which are now in force. Here's a quick run down.

• Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora (1964). The earliest attempt to protect Antarctica came in the form of a series of recommendations at the Third Consultative Meeting. Because recommendations require member states to unanimously accept them, it was not until 1982 that the Agreed Measures entered into force.
• The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972).
• The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Marine Living Resources (1980) overseen by CCAMLR.
• The Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities (1988). Although member states took about ten years to negotiate this treaty, it never entered into force.
• The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991). Following the defeat of the Mineral Resource Treaty, member states negotiated a more comprehensive environmental treaty. The Protocol reiterates the original terms of the Antarctic Treaty and makes Antarctica a natural reserve for peaceful scientific purposes. The issues of mineral development was put on ice for 50 years, except for scientific research.

© 2001. Patricia A. Michaels