How is Antarctica governed?

Antarctica is a unique example of how governments cooperate. The Antarctic Treaty of 1961 states that Antarctica “shall continue to be used forever for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord”…

The Antarctic Treaty

The UK was the first of twelve countries to sign the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. The other eleven were: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, USA and the former Soviet Union. The treaty is a very successful example of how governments have worked together to protect this unique continent.

Man surveys the expanse of the landscape

Geopolitics of Antarctica

Imagine a place without war, without mineral exploitation where the environment is fully protected. A place where peace and cooperation, science and the environment come before money and power. This sounds like an imaginary place doesn’t it? However this is reality in Antarctica under the Antarctic Treaty system which was put into place in 1959.