How does the Antarctic Treaty operate?
The Antarctic Treaty entered into force on the 23 June 1961 in the same year as the first Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM). Since then, members have met regularly during ATCMs and now continue to meet annually in order to discuss: • Scientific cooperation • Measures to protect the environment • Operational issues Activities in Antarctica are governed through the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) rules, provided by the original Treaty along with three international agreements, negotiated during the ATCMs: • Convention for conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972) • Convention on the conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980) • Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991) The Treaty has been recognised as one of the most successful international agreements and remains in force indefinitely. It provides that any party can call for a review conference after the expiration of 30 years. Since 1991, the 30th Anniversary of the Treaty, no party has cal
