Profile
Settings
Refer your friends
Sign out
Why in News
- Recently, the Iranian Navy Commander announced plans to establish a military operation in Antarctica, challenging the Antarctic Treaty principles.
Antarctic Treaty:
- Inception: Signed in Washington in 1959 by 12 countries engaged in Antarctic science; it became effective in 1961.
- Purpose: Aims to keep Antarctica demilitarized, dedicating it solely to peaceful scientific research.
- Geographical Scope: Applies to regions south of 60°S latitude.
- Membership: As of now, 56 countries are parties to the treaty, with India joining in 1983.
- Secretariat Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Original Signatories: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the UK, the USA, and the USSR.
Key Provisions and Supplementary Agreements:
- Territorial Claims:
- Suspends all pre-treaty territorial claims; neither recognizing nor dismissing them, and prohibits new claims as long as the treaty is active.
- Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, France, Norway, and the UK had territorial claims prior to the treaty.
- Environmental and Conservation Efforts:
- 1972: Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Seals.
- 1980: Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
- 1991: The Protocol on Environmental Protection, enhancing conservation efforts and environmental protection in Antarctica.
