Antarctic Treaty

International agreement between 13 nations aiming to promote scientific research and keep Antarctica free from conflict, dating from 1961. In 1991 a 50-year ban on mining activity was secured. An environmental protection protocol, addressing the issues of wildlife conservation, mineral exploitation, and marine pollution, came into effect in January 1998 after it was ratified by Japan. Antarctica is now a designated ‘natural reserve devoted to peace and science’.

The agreement was signed 1959 between 13 nations with an interest in Antarctica (including the USA and Britain), and came into force 1961 for a 30-year period. A total of 39 countries are party to it (as of 1996). Its provisions (covering the area south of latitude 60° S) neither accepted nor rejected any nation's territorial claims, but barred any new ones; imposed a ban on military operations and large-scale mineral extraction; and allowed for free exchange of scientific data from bases. In 1980 the treaty was extended to conserve marine resources within the larger area bordered by the Antarctic Convergence; and in 1991 an agreement was signed extending the Antarctic Treaty and imposing a 50-year ban on mining activity.