The Antarctic Treaty

There are few places on Earth where there has never been war, where the environment is fully protected, and where scientific research has priority. The whole of the Antarctic continent is like this. A land which the Antarctic Treaty parties call a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science.

The Antarctic Treaty came into force on 23 June 1961 after ratification by the twelve countries then active in Antarctic science. The Treaty covers the area south of 60°S latitude. Its objectives are simple yet unique in international relations. They are:

  • to demilitarize Antarctica, to establish it as a zone free of nuclear tests and the disposal of radioactive waste, and to ensure that it is used for peaceful purposes only;
  • to promote international scientific cooperation in Antarctica;
  • to set aside disputes over territorial sovereignty.
Flags of the Antarctic Treaty Nations, as at June 2015
Flags of the Antarctic Treaty Nations, as at June 2015

The treaty remains in force indefinitely. The success of the treaty has been the growth in membership. Forty six countries, comprising around 80% of the world’s population, have acceded to it. Consultative (voting) status is open to all countries who have demonstrated their commitment to the Antarctic by conducting significant research.

Signatories to the Antarctic Treaty:

CountryDate of entry into forceConsultative status
Argentina23-6-61Original signatory
Australia23-6-61Original signatory
Austria25-8-87
Belgium23-6-61Original signatory
Belarus27-12-06
Brazil16-5-7527-9-83
Bulgaria11-9-7805-6-98
Canada04-5-88
Chile23-6-61Original signatory
China08-6-8307-10-85
Colombia31-1-89
Cuba16-8-84
Czech Republic01-9-93
Denmark20-5-65
Ecuador15-9-8719-11-90
Estonia17-5-01
Finland15-5-8420-10-89
France23-6-61Original signatory
Germany05-2-7903-3-81
Greece08-1-87
Guatemala31-7-91
Hungary27-1-84
India19-8-8312-9-83
Italy18-3-8105-10-87
Japan23-6-61Original signatory
Korea DPRK21-1-87
Korea ROK28-11-7609-10-89
Monaco30-05-08
Netherlands30-3-6719-11-90
New Zealand23-6-61Original signatory
Norway23-6-61Original signatory
Papua New Guinea16-9-75
Peru10-4-8109-10-89
Poland23-6-6129-7-77
Romania15-9-71
Russian Federation23-6-61Original signatory
Slovak Republic01-1-93
South Africa23-6-61Original signatory
Spain31-3-8221-9-88
Sweden24-4-8421-9-88
Switzerland15-11-90
Turkey24-1-96
Ukraine28-10-9204-6-04
United Kingdom23-6-61Original signatory
United States23-6-61Original signatory
Uruguay11-1-8007-10-85
Venezuela24-3-99

 

Twenty eight nations, including the UK, have Consultative status. The Treaty parties meet each year at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. They have adopted over 300 recommendations and negotiated separate international agreements, of which three are still in use. These, together with the original Treaty provide the rules which govern activities in Antarctica. Collectively they are known as the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS).

The three international agreements are:

  • Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972)
  • Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980)
  • Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991)

The full text of the Treaty is given in The Antarctic Treaty (1959)

Flags of the Antarctic Treaty Nations, as at June 2015