There are few places in the world where there has never been war, where the environment is fully protected, and where scientific research has priority. But there is a whole continent like this -- it is the land the Antarctic Treaty parties call '... a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science'.

At the southern end of our world, those who share the challenges of distance and cold to visit the ice-bound continent have developed a tradition of warm cooperation. Such cooperation, unique on this scale, is cemented by the Antarctic Treaty.

Antarctica is vast. It embraces the South Pole with permanent ice and snow. It is encircled by floating barriers of ice, stormy seas and appalling weather. Its great altitude chills the air to extremes, and its decent to sea level across a moving ice cap generates the world's strongest winds. The cycling seasons reveal the spectacular natural forces of our planet. The surrounding seas teem with wildlife. And just a small fraction of this continent is free of ice, allowing a small toe-hold for human settlement to study these phenomena.

The weather and isolation dominate all who visit. The discovery and exploration of Antarctica was shaped by the continent's remoteness and its extraordinarily inhospitable environment. These factors combined for centuries to keep mankind away from all but the subantarctic islands and parts of the Southern Ocean where whaling and sealing took place. In human historic terms, the land exploration of Antarctica is recent, most of it being accomplished in the twentieth century.

The improved technology and knowledge of the last 100 years allowed greater access to the continent, encouraging detailed surveying and research, and the gradual occupation of Antarctica by scientific stations. By mid-century permanent stations were being established and planning was underway for the International Geophysical Year (IGY) in 1957-58. By mid-century, territorial positions had also been asserted -- but not agreed.

The IGY was recognised as pivotal to the scientific understanding of Antarctica. The twelve nations active in Antarctica, nine of which made territorial claims or reserved the right to do so, agreed that their political and legal differences should not interfere with the research program. The outstanding success of the IGY led these nations to agree that peaceful scientific cooperation in the Antarctic should continue indefinitely. Negotiation of such an agreement, the Antarctic Treaty, commenced immediately.

The Antarctic Treaty

The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the twelve nations that had been active during the IGY (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and USSR). The Treaty, which applies to the area south of 60° South, is surprisingly short&emdash; but remarkably effective. Through this agreement, the countries active in Antarctica consult on the uses of a whole continent, with a commitment that it should not become the object of international discord. In its fourteen articles the Treaty:

• stipulates that Antarctica should be used exclusively for peaceful purposes -- military activities, such as the establishment of military bases or weapons testing, are specifically prohibited
• guarantees continued freedom to conduct scientific research, as enjoyed during the IGY
• promotes international scientific cooperation including the exchange of research plans and personnel, and requires that results of research be made freely available
• removes the potential for sovereignty disputes between Treaty parties by providing that no activities will enhance or diminish previously asserted positions with respect to territorial claims, providing that no new or enlarged claims can be made, and making rules relating to jurisdiction
• prohibits nuclear explosions and the disposal of radioactive waste
• provides for inspection by foreign observers of ships, stations and equipment in Antarctica to ensure the observance of the Treaty
• requires parties to •••••exchange information about their expeditions
• provides for the parties to meet to discuss measures to further the objectives of the Treaty
• puts in place a dispute settlement procedure and a mechanism by which the Treaty can be modified.

The Treaty also provides that any member of the United Nations can accede to it. The Treaty now has 43 signatories or Treaty Parties -- 27 are Consultative Parties on the basis of being original signatories or by conducting substantial research there. Membership continues to grow. Click here for a full list of the current Treaty parties.

Since entering into force on 23 June 1961, the Treaty has been recognised as one of the most successful international agreements. Problematic differences over ••••territorial claims have been effectively set aside and as a disarmament regime it has been outstandingly successful. The Treaty parties remain firmly committed to a system that is still effective in protecting their essential Antarctic interests. Science is proceeding unhindered.

Since the first Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in 1961, the parties have met frequently to discuss issues as diverse as scientific cooperation, measures to protect the environment, and operational issues&emdash; and they are committed to taking decisions by consensus. This process has allowed the Antarctic Treaty to evolve into a regime with a number of components that meet the special needs of managing the Antarctic, while protecting national interests. This regime is now known by the broader title of the Antarctic Treaty System, which operates under the umbrella of the annual ATCM.

The Treaty provided that any party could call for a review conference after the expiration of 30 years. No party has done so. In 1991, on the thirtieth anniversary of the Treaty, the parties recognised the continuing strength and relevance of the Treaty system by adopting a declaration recording their determination to maintain and strengthen the Treaty and to protect Antarctica's environmental and scientific values.

Under the Treaty, each party has enjoyed peaceful cooperation and freedom of scientific research. That research has contributed significantly to knowledge of the earth and is contributing to the protection of the global environment. Environmental monitoring in Antarctica has, for example, led to the discovery of depletion of atmospheric ozone.

As the Antarctic Treaty System matures it has become recognised as one of the most successful international agreements, setting an example of peaceful cooperation for the rest of the world.

As an environmental regime it is unique -- an entire continent, which is essentially undisturbed, will remain protected because of the commitment and cooperation of the Treaty parties.