MicroCon 2017
MicroCon 2017 was a gathering of leaders and representatives of micronations in Atlanta, Georgia. It was the second such conference to occur under the MicroCon banner, the first having been MicroCon 2015 in Anaheim, California. Delegations from 22 different countries attended the event, which lasted from 23 - 25 June 2017. The conference was co-hosted by the Kingdom of Ruritania and the Republic of Molossia. Photographer Matt Roth was on hand to take photos as was a film crew from Vice News.
The nations represented at MicroCon 2017 were: Kingdom of Ruritania, Republic of Molossia, Grand Duchy of Westarctica, Principality of Aigues-Mortes, Kingdom of Slabovia, Republic of West Who, House of Homestead, Republic of St. Castin, Aerican Empire, Ambulatory Free States of Obsidia, State of Sandus, Commonwealth of Boshka, Kingdom of Jupiter and Greater Territories, Grand Duchy of Flandrensis, Kingdom of Amethonia, Republic of Saugeais, Republic of Theodia, Kingdom of Briarcliff, Mountain Empire of Frankland, the Star Kingdom, the Kingdom of Edan, Republic of Incrementis and the Kingdom of Talossa.
Diplomatic significance of the conference
Non-aggression pact with Talossa
MicroCon 2017 marked the first meeting between representatives of the Kingdom of Talossa and Westarctica, two nations with competing claims to territory in Marie Byrd Land. Although Talossa's claim pre-dates Westarctica's by several years, Westarctica's claim was made through legal channels and not simply "declared." In any case, neither nation has ever formally recognized the claims of the other. Prior to meeting at the summit, some members of Talossa's government had displayed open hostility to Westarctica in the form of online propaganda. In turn, Grand Duke Travis refused to formally acknowledge Talossa's existence as a sovereign nation.
During the conference, the Grand Duke was introduced to Munditenens (Dien) Tresplet, the Royal Governor of Talossa's Pengöpäts Antarctic Territory. After lengthy discussion, the Royal Governor joined hands with Grand Duke Travis and Omar Cisneros, the representative from Flandrensis, and agreed to peacefully resolve any conflicts concerning their competing Antarctic claims.
Pre-conference reception
On 23 June, the evening before the conference, the Kingdom of Ruritania held a lavish reception at its Embassy to the United States in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Her Majesty, Queen Anastasia presided over the reception and gave guided tours of the Embassy grounds. The reception provided ample time for delegates to socialize and get to know one another in a comfortable setting. For many delegates, it was their first time setting foot on a micronation's sovereign soil.
Closed-door sessions
At the reception, a closed-door session was orchestrated by the Kingdom of Slabovia to discuss their plans for the next MicroCon summit. Certain terms were proposed by Chancellor Rankin of Slabovia and agreed upon by President Kevin Baugh and Queen Anastasia to establish set criteria for micronations before they could qualify as a "host nation" for future MicroCons.
Following that session, Grand Duke Travis and Prince-Consort Dinny were granted a closed-door audience with Queen Anastasia in Her Majesty's royal office.