Cool Antarctica

ANTARCTIC TREA

By

SIJU ANTONY
INJU THOMAS
 Antarctica is Earth's southernmost continent,
underlying the South Pole and is surrounded by the
Southern Ocean.
It is the fifth-largest continent.
Antarctica is the only continent with no nations.

98% is covered by ice.

Is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent.

Has the highest average elevation of all the other

continents (60°).
Winter population 1000 people, 4,000 in summer.

Ice up to three miles (4500 m) thick.

Average surface temperature is -59° C.
 The Antarctic Treaty
-For the prevention of Antarctica
Signed : December 1, 1959

Location : Washington, USA

Effective : June 23, 1961

Antarctic Treaty now engages 47 nations, representing

nearly 90% of humankind.
The twelve original signatories to the
Antarctica Treaty were:
United Kingdom Japan
South Africa Belgium
Chile France
Australia Norway
Argentina New Zealand
Russia (ex Soviet Union)
United States of America

Rest of the 35 nations including India is part of the

agreement.
The Important Provisions Of The Party;
Article I Peaceful Purposes Only
Article II Freedom of Scientific Investigation
Article III International Cooperation in Scientific Investigation
Article IV No Basis for Asserting, Supporting or Denying Claims
Article V No Nuclear Explosions or Radioactive Waste Disposal
Article VI Area of Application - South of 60o South Latitude
Article VII Freedom of Access and Inspection by Designated
Observers
Article VIII Jurisdiction by the Contracting Parties over their own Nationals
Article IX Consulting and Recommending Measures of Common Interest
Article X Consistent with Charter of the United Nations
Article XI Resolve Disputes by Peaceful Means
Article XII Antarctic Treaty Modifications and Amendment
Article XIII Accession and Ratification
Article XIV Official Languages and Depository Government.
 Article I - Peaceful purposes
Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only.

1. The establishment of military bases or weapons testing,

are specifically prohibited

2. Permits the use of military personnel or equipments for

scientific research or for any other peaceful purpose.
Article II - Freedom of scientific
investigation
Freedom of scientific investigations guarantees
continued freedom to conduct scientific research, as
enjoyed during the International Geophysical Year
(IGY).
Article III - International
scientific cooperation
a. Information regarding plans for scientific programs in
Antarctica shall be exchanged to permit maximum
economy of and efficiency of operations;
b. Scientific personnel shall be exchanged in Antarctica
between expeditions and stations;
c. Scientific observations and results from Antarctica
shall be exchanged and made freely available.
Article IV - Territorial sovereignty

No new claim, or enlargement of an existing claim, to

territorial sovereignty in Antarctica shall be asserted while
the present treaty is in force.
 Article V - Nuclear activity

The use of nuclear energy, including nuclear

explosions and the disposal of radioactive waste material
shall be prohibited.
Article VI - Geographical coverage

The provisions of the present Treaty shall apply to

the area south of 60° South Latitude, including all ice
shelves.
 Article VII - Inspections

All areas of Antarctica, including all stations,

installations and equipment within those areas, and all
ships and aircraft at points of discharging or embarking
cargoes or personnel in Antarctica, shall be open at all
times to inspection by any observers designated to this.
 Article VIII - Jurisdiction

Observers and exchange personnel shall be subject

to the jurisdiction of their respective country while in
Antarctica.
 Article IX - Treaty Meetings

Meetings between the Contracting Parties shall be

held for the purpose of exchanging information, and
consulting together on matters of common interest
pertaining to Antarctica.
Article X - Activities contrary
to Treaty

Each Party shall endeavour to ensure that no one

engages in activities in Antarctica contrary to the
purposes of the present Treaty.
Article XI - Disputes between
Parties
Any disputes arising between Parties shall be settled
by whatever peaceful means they deem necessary.
Failing which, the matter shall be referred to the
International Court of Justice. This having occurred, it
does not preclude a peaceful settlement being reached by
the Parties concerned.
Article XII - Modification and duration

The present Treaty may be modified or amended at

any time by unanimous consent of the Contracting
parties.
Article XIII - Ratification and
entry into force

Each State shall ratify the present Treaty in

accordance with its constitutional principles.
 Article XIV - Deposition

The present Treaty, done in English, French, Russian

and the Spanish languages, is deposited in the archives
of the United States of America
 The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements,
collectively called the Antarctic Treaty System or ATS.
The agreements related to ATS are,
 Seals Convention(1972)
 Living Resources Convention(1980)
 Mineral Resources Convention (1988)
 Environmental Protocol (1991)
I: Environmental Impact Assessment;
II: Conservation of Antarctic Flora and Fauna;
III: Waste Disposal and Management;
IV: Prevention of Marine Pollution;
V: Area Protection and Management;
THANK YOU ! ! !