Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting

Recently, India concluded hosting of the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM-46) and the 26th Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP-26) 2024 in Kochi, Kerala

About Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM)

• Annual Meetings: These annual meetings provide a platform for Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties and other stakeholders to discuss pressing environmental, scientific, and governance matters concerning Antarctica.
• Frequency of ATCM Meetings: Between 1961 and 1994, the ATCM typically convened once every two years, but since 1994, the meetings have taken place annually.

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Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP-26)

• Founding: The CEP was created under the Madrid Protocol, also known as the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, in 1991.
• Role of CEP: The CEP advises the ATCM on protecting and conserving Antarctica’s environment.

Antarctica Treaty

• Signing of the Treaty: The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on December 1, 1959, by twelve countries whose scientists had been involved in Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-58.
  • The original 12 signatories included Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Soviet Union, the UK, and the US.
• Categories: There are two categories of parties to the Antarctic Treaty: Consultative, numbering 29, and non-Consultative, numbering 27.
  • Non-Consultative parties are invited to attend Consultative Meetings but do not partake in decision-making.
• Secretariat: The Antarctic Treaty Secretariat (ATS), founded in 2004, acts as the administrative centre for the Antarctic Treaty System.
  • It coordinates the ATCM and CEP gatherings and oversees compliance with treaty provisions and agreements. 
  • Additionally, it offers support and advice to Antarctic Treaty Parties on matters concerning treaty implementation and enforcement.

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India in Antarctica

• India’s Role in Antarctic Governance: India has held consultative party status to the Antarctic Treaty since 1983. Among the 56 nations under the treaty, 29 have consultative party status.
  • In this role, India actively participates in and votes on all major decision-making processes concerning Antarctica. India has been engaged in scientific research in Antarctica since 1981.
• Establishment of Indian Antarctic Research Stations: In 1983, India established its first Antarctic research station, Dakshin Gangotri
  • In 1989, India established its second Antarctica research station, Maitri  in the Schirmacher Oasis
  • In 2012, India unveiled Bharati, its third Antarctica research station, positioned east of Maitri, on the Prydz Bay coast.
• Antarctic Act: India demonstrated its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty by passing the Antarctic Act.
• Future Plans:India intends to establish a new station, Maitri II, just a few kilometres away from the ageing Maitri station. Operations are scheduled to commence by 2029.