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Difference between revisions of "Antarctic Treaty"
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International ownership treaties | International ownership treaties | ||
The main treaty was opened for signature on December 1, 1959, and officially entered into force on June 23, 1961. The original signatory parties were the 12 countries active in Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957–58: | The main treaty was opened for signature on December 1, 1959, and officially entered into force on June 23, 1961. The original signatory parties were the 12 countries active in Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957–58: | ||
:* Argentina | :* Argentina | ||
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==Articles of the Antarctic Treaty== | ==Articles of the Antarctic Treaty== | ||
[[File:Antarctic treaty flags.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Flags of Antarctic Treaty parties]] | |||
* '''Article 1''' – The area is to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; | * '''Article 1''' – The area is to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; | ||
* '''Article 2''' – Freedom of scientific investigations and cooperation shall continue; | * '''Article 2''' – Freedom of scientific investigations and cooperation shall continue; | ||
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* '''Article 10''' – All treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; | * '''Article 10''' – All treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; | ||
* '''Article 11''' – All disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the International Court of Justice; | * '''Article 11''' – All disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the International Court of Justice; | ||
* '''Articles''' | * '''Articles 12''', '''13''', '''14''' – Deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations. | ||
The main objective of the Antarctic Treaty is to ensure that Antarctica be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord. Pursuant to Article 1, the treaty forbids any measures of a military nature, but not the presence of military personnel or equipment for the purposes of scientific research. | The main objective of the Antarctic Treaty is to ensure that Antarctica be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord. Pursuant to Article 1, the treaty forbids any measures of a military nature, but not the presence of military personnel or equipment for the purposes of scientific research. | ||
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The Antarctic Treaty's yearly Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM) are the international forum for the administration and management of the entire region. Only 29 of the 53 parties to the agreements have the right to participate in decision-making at these meetings, though the other 24 are still allowed to attend. The decision-making participants are the Consultative Parties and, in addition to the 12 original signatories, include 17 countries that have demonstrated their interest in Antarctica by carrying out scientific activity on the continent to the degree required by the articles of the Treaty. | The Antarctic Treaty's yearly Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM) are the international forum for the administration and management of the entire region. Only 29 of the 53 parties to the agreements have the right to participate in decision-making at these meetings, though the other 24 are still allowed to attend. The decision-making participants are the Consultative Parties and, in addition to the 12 original signatories, include 17 countries that have demonstrated their interest in Antarctica by carrying out scientific activity on the continent to the degree required by the articles of the Treaty. | ||
Consultative members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory. The 46 non-claimant nations either do not recognize the claims of others, or have not stated their positions. | Consultative members include the seven [[Territorial claims in Antarctica|nations that claim portions of Antarctica]] as national territory. The 46 non-claimant nations either do not recognize the claims of others, or have not stated their positions. | ||
==Antarctic Treaty Secretariat== | ==Antarctic Treaty Secretariat== | ||
The Antarctic Treaty Secretariat (ATS) is an organization created in 2003 for the management of tasks such as the support of the annual meeting of signatory countries of the Antarctic Treaty, and the publication of an annual report. Other activities carried out by the Secretariat include improving the communication between signatories of the treaty. | The Antarctic Treaty Secretariat (ATS) is an organization created in 2003 for the management of tasks such as the support of the annual meeting of signatory countries of the Antarctic Treaty, and the publication of an annual report. Other activities carried out by the Secretariat include improving the communication between signatories of the treaty. | ||
The organization's first Executive Secretary was Mr. Jan Huber, from the Netherlands. Mr. Huber occupied this position for 5 years until 31 August 2009. He was succeeded on 1 September 2009 by Mr. Manfred Reinke, who was elected in April 2009 by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. | The organization's first Executive Secretary was Mr. Jan Huber, from the Netherlands. Mr. Huber occupied this position for 5 years until 31 August 2009. He was succeeded on 1 September 2009 by Mr. Manfred Reinke, who was elected in April 2009 by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. As of August 2018, the position was held by Albert Lluberas. | ||
Under direction of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, the Secretariat works to: | Under direction of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, the Secretariat works to: | ||
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:* Facilitate the exchange of information between the Parties required under the Treaty and the Protocol. | :* Facilitate the exchange of information between the Parties required under the Treaty and the Protocol. | ||
:* Provide information about the Antarctic Treaty system to the public. | :* Provide information about the Antarctic Treaty system to the public. | ||
[[Category:Law in Westarctica]] | |||