Antartic treaty

• Background of Antarctic treaty

  Signed in 1961 by 46 countries and has become one of the most successful international agreements of all time.
• What does the Antarctic Treaty do?

  • Prohibits military bases and weapons testing
  • Requires co-operation between countries to share the results of scientific research
  • Prohibits nuclear explosions and nuclear waste disposals
  • Does not recognise any country's claims on territory
• Environmental Protocol


  In 1998, they agreed to a new environmental protocol
• What does the Environmental Protocol do?

  • A ban on mining for 50 years, or until all countries agree to end it
  • A ban on killing or interfering with wildlife
  • All waste must be removed
  • There are controls on fishing in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica
  • All activity must be assessed for their likely impact on the environment before they are allowed