14-24 June 2021: France is organizing the 43rd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM)

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The Antarctic is the most southerly continent on Earth. Although it has no permanent inhabitants, its 52 scientific bases house some 1,500 scientists and its remoteness and harsh climate provide ideal conditions for scientific research.
Signed in 1959 by 12 countries (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Union of South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States and the USSR), who have subsequently been joined by 42 more States, the Antarctic Treaty provides that the “white continent” must be exclusively reserved for peaceful and scientific activities. It also froze all territorial claims and promotes international cooperation.

The States Parties take turns to organize an annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM). In 2021, the 43rd ATCM will take place in France. It will be held in Paris from 14 to 24 June 2021.

Opening ceremony of the 43rd ATCM

The Antarctic in figures
  • Surface area of 14.2 million km2
  • The Antarctic ice sheet accounts for 70% of the planet’s fresh water.
  • The ice sheet is up to 1.6 km thick
  • Dumont d’Urville Stations shares with a station in New Hampshire, USA the record for the fastest wind gust ever recorded at 372 km/hour

What are the objectives of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings?

The ATCMs allow the 54 States Parties to take measures to ensure compliance with the principles and objectives of the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (also known as the Madrid Protocol) (signed in October 1991).
The aim is to study, formulate and recommend to governments measures designed to facilitate:

  • scientific research in the Antarctic;
  • international scientific cooperation in the region;
  • the exercise of the rights of inspection provided for in Article VII of the Treaty;
    The ATCMs also address the exercise of jurisdiction and the protection and conservation of fauna and flora.

The Antarctic, a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science

The Madrid Protocol designated Antarctica as a “natural reserve, devoted to peace and science” by prohibiting the mining of mineral resources in Antarctica. This text, which was drawn up by the French and Australian Prime Ministers, Michel Rocard and Bob Hawke, sets out the principle that activities in Antarctica are to be conducted so as to limit adverse impacts on the Antarctic environment and ecosystems.
The Antarctic contains exceptional biodiversity, making it an excellent laboratory for international scientific research cooperation in many fields, such as climatology, earth sciences, biology, astronomy and medicine.

Exploring the Antarctic

  • A photo exhibition by French Polar Institute Paul-Emile Victor (IPEV), the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF) and Greg Lecoeur “Antarctica, a natural reserve devoted to peace” can be seen on the railings of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and at the House of the Oceans.
    From 11 June 2021 at 37 quai d’Orsay, 27 rue de la Convention and 195 rue Saint-Jacques in Paris.
  • A podcast “Issues of the 43rd ATCM and France’s work in Antarctica”.

The President’s closing speech of the 43rd ATCM