Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Antarctic Treaty
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will host the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46) in Kochi, Kerala.
About Antarctic Treaty
|
Details |
| Signing and Entry into Force |
- Signed on December 1, 1959 at Washington DC.
- Entered into force on June 23, 1961.
- 12 Initial Countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the USSR, the UK, and the US.
|
| Objective |
Ensure Antarctica remains exclusively for peaceful purposes, free from international discord. |
| Key Provisions |
- Art. I: Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only
- Art. II: Freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica and cooperation
- Art. III: Scientific observations and results from Antarctica shall be exchanged and made freely available
|
| Territorial Claims |
- Prohibits new territorial claims.
- Preserves existing territorial sovereignty claims.
|
| Disarmament |
- Prohibits testing of nuclear weapons.
- Prohibits disposal of radioactive waste
|
| Consultative Meetings |
Annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM) where member states discuss treaty implementation and cooperation |
| Environmental Protection |
- Promotes protection of Antarctic environment.
- Prohibits activities causing pollution or environmental damage
|
| Mineral Resource Exploitation |
- Bans mining activities until at least 2048.
- Requires consensus for any review or modification
|
| Membership |
-
- 54 parties as of 2024.
- 29 Consultative Parties actively participate in decision-making.
- 25 Non-Consultative Parties.
- India ratified the treaty in 1983.
|
| Madrid Protocol |
- Adopted in 1991.
- Entered into force in 1998.
- Strengthens environmental protection measures in Antarctic.
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