Antarctic treaties and
agreements
Antarctic Treaty (1959)
14 Main points:
1. Peaceful purposes – Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only.
2. Freedom of scientific investigation
3. International scientific cooperation
4. Territorial sovereignty
5. Nuclear activity – any nuclear explosions in Antarctica and the disposal there of radioactive
waste material shall be prohibited.
6. Geographical coverage
7. Inspections
8. Jurisdiction
9. Treaty Meetings
10. Activities contrary to Treaty – No member can engage in activities contrary to the principles
or purposes of the present Treaty
11. Disputes between parties - If any dispute arises between two or more of the Contracting
Parties concerning the interpretation or application of the present Treaty, they will resolve
the issue using negotiation, mediation, judicial settlement, or other peaceful means.
12. Modification and duration - The present Treaty may be modified or amended at any time by
unanimous agreement of the Contracting Parties whose representatives are entitled to
participate in the meetings provided for under Article IX.
13. Ratification and entry into force - The present Treaty shall be subject to ratification by the
signatory States. It shall be open for accession by any State which is a Member of the United
Nations, or by any other State which may be invited to accede to the Treaty with the consent
of all the Contracting Parties.
14. Deposition - The present Treaty, done in the English, French, Russian and Spanish languages,
each version being equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the Government
of the United States of America, which shall transmit duly certified copies thereof to the
Governments of the signatory and acceding States.
How the UN is involved: The Treaty also provides that any member of the United Nations can
accede to it. The UN works alongside the members of the Antarctic Treaty to promote and
manage protection of the Antarctic.
The Treaty’s purpose: 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.
Its scope and success: The Treaty prevents the exploitation of resources and use of land for
unpeaceful purposes. It has successfully prevented The Mineral Convention from coming into
force, it has allowed many nations to peacefully cooperate and protect Antarctica. The Antarctic
Treaty is considered the most successful international agreement.
agreements
Antarctic Treaty (1959)
14 Main points:
1. Peaceful purposes – Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only.
2. Freedom of scientific investigation
3. International scientific cooperation
4. Territorial sovereignty
5. Nuclear activity – any nuclear explosions in Antarctica and the disposal there of radioactive
waste material shall be prohibited.
6. Geographical coverage
7. Inspections
8. Jurisdiction
9. Treaty Meetings
10. Activities contrary to Treaty – No member can engage in activities contrary to the principles
or purposes of the present Treaty
11. Disputes between parties - If any dispute arises between two or more of the Contracting
Parties concerning the interpretation or application of the present Treaty, they will resolve
the issue using negotiation, mediation, judicial settlement, or other peaceful means.
12. Modification and duration - The present Treaty may be modified or amended at any time by
unanimous agreement of the Contracting Parties whose representatives are entitled to
participate in the meetings provided for under Article IX.
13. Ratification and entry into force - The present Treaty shall be subject to ratification by the
signatory States. It shall be open for accession by any State which is a Member of the United
Nations, or by any other State which may be invited to accede to the Treaty with the consent
of all the Contracting Parties.
14. Deposition - The present Treaty, done in the English, French, Russian and Spanish languages,
each version being equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the Government
of the United States of America, which shall transmit duly certified copies thereof to the
Governments of the signatory and acceding States.
How the UN is involved: The Treaty also provides that any member of the United Nations can
accede to it. The UN works alongside the members of the Antarctic Treaty to promote and
manage protection of the Antarctic.
The Treaty’s purpose: 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.
Its scope and success: The Treaty prevents the exploitation of resources and use of land for
unpeaceful purposes. It has successfully prevented The Mineral Convention from coming into
force, it has allowed many nations to peacefully cooperate and protect Antarctica. The Antarctic
Treaty is considered the most successful international agreement.
