Antarctic Treaty System An Assessment: Proceedings of a Workshop Held at Beardmore South Field Camp, Antarctica, January 7-13, 1985 (1986) / Chapter Skim
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25. The Interaction Between the Antarctic Treaty System and the United Nations System
25. The Interaction Between the Antarctic Treaty System and the United Nations System
Pages 375-390
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From page 375... ...
While physically they are separated by sea, they remain connected by a tradition of proximity, interest, exploration, and research. So I am very glad to have had the opportunity to participate in the Workshop on the Antarctic Treaty in three capacities: in my personal capacity, as the chairman of the New York group of the Antarctica Treaty consultative parties, and as the representative of Australia at the United Nations.
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From page 376... ...
Some might even see this lack of discussion of Antarctica in the United Nations as evidence of what has been alleged to be "secrecy" or "exclusivity on the part of the Antarctic Treaty consultative parties. It would be a serious mistake to reach such conclusions.
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From page 377... ...
There was also a strong sense, on the part of the scientists involved, that their studies in Antarctica were important to the entire world community and that the results of their efforts should be freely available to all who were interested. This cooperative spirit led the 12 nations that had conducted research in Antarctica during the IGY to reflect on the earlier unsatisfactory situation and to consider a more permanent framework for continuing their joint efforts, in a way that would allow all nations wishing to be active on the continent to do so without threatening the interests of others or destabilizing the area.
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From page 378... ...
In this regard, I should refer in particular to the 1964 Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora, the 1972 Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals, the 1980 Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and the current negotiations toward an Antarctic minerals regime. Let us now look more closely at how the Antarctic Treaty, in its language and in its practical application, relates to the fundamental purpose of the United Nations Charter: the maintenance of international peace and security.
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From page 379... ...
With the advantages of hindsight and knowledge of the extreme difficulty of negotiating measures to limit conventional or nuclear weapons today, the achievement of the Antarctic Treaty in this area must be seen both as impressive and of great value to all states -- particularly, may I say, to states such as those of Australasia, of the South Pacific, of South America, and of southern Africa, which are within close geographic proximity to Antarctica. In spite of other differences, the importance of maintaining Antarctica demilitarized, free of nuclear weapons and strategic competition, and a zone of peaceful cooperation was clearly recognized by most delegations that spoke on the antarctic item at both the 38th and the 39th UNGA sessions.
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From page 380... ...
, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, and the International Whaling Commission. At their very first meeting the consultative parties adopted a recommendation making it an obligation of governments to encourage the work of relevant international organizations, including the U.N.
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From page 381... ...
Cooperation with the IOC has included contributions by the consultative parties to the Program Group on the Southern Ocean, a coordinating body for marine biology research. The IOC also has permanent observer status at meetings of the commission of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
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From page 382... ...
system might develop and on what other steps might be taken to accommodate this wider international interest in the affairs of the Southern continent. In this connection, I am speaking not as the chairman of the Antarctic treaty consultative party coordination group in New York, nor as a representative of the Australian government, but rather on the same basis as all the speakers at the Workshop on the Antarctic Treaty-that is, in my personal capacity.
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From page 383... ...
It shows the capacity and the will of the consultative parties to adapt the treaty system to changing circumstances and interests. Small states, which do not maintain antarctic programs and which perhaps never intend to do so, can nevertheless, through acceding to the treaty, become fully informed about antarctic affairs and bring considerable influence to bear when decisions are made, thus ensuring that their interests are taken into account.
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From page 384... ...
Recognizing the growth of international interest, the consultative parties, at their twelfth meeting in 1983, decided to take steps to disseminate more widely information on antarctic activities, to study further steps, and to consider them in 1985 (Recommendation XII-6)
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From page 385... ...
Judging from statements made at the last two UNGAs, it seems to me that the interests and concerns of nontreaty countries relate mainly to the question of possible mineral resources. This is especially true of the negotiations taking place through special Antarctic Treaty consultative meetings to develop an antarctic minerals regime.
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From page 386... ...
It is important to negotiate such a regime now, in the absence of pressures to exploit. On the question of wider involvement in the antarctic minerals negotiations and the need to ensure that the interests of all countries are adequately taken into account, I mentioned earlier the decision by the consultative parties to open future meetings of the minerals negotiations to all parties to the Antarctic Treaty.
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From page 387... ...
In particular, they might share their antarctic experience with scientists of other countries, undertake joint research where appropriate, and advise countries interested in conducting their own Antarctic programs on scientific and logistic support matters. They might also extend opportunities, within the limits of their own national programs, for scientists from interested cOuntries, especially developing countries, to conduct research in Antarctica.
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From page 388... ...
Attempts to replace the ATS, or to set up new institutional arrangements for the management of antarctic affairs within the United Nations, will be neither practicable nor productive; on the other hand, Antarctic Treaty consultative parties should continue to find ways of overcoming the reasonable concerns of other countries by improving the operation of the treaty system. An increase in public interest, or the launching of a particular initiative in the UNGA by one or two countries, should not lead us to the conclusion that a new set of arrangements should be developed to replace the ATS.
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From page 389... ...
When I became Australia's ambassador at the United Nations and, then, chairman of the New York group of the Antarctic Treaty consultative parties, I knew little about the inner workings of the U.N. system and less about the processes of the ATS -- although I had, of course, been interested in a general way in both matters.
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From page 390... ...
In conclusion, I believe that the ATS is an evolving and continuing experiment that has served the international community well. As Philip Quigg wrote in his recent book, A Pole APart,1 nJuSt as Antarctica's unique environment must be protected trom exploiters, so must its political and economic future be protected from ideologues.
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