Santiago Declaration on the Twenty Fifth Anniversary of the signing of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty

The Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty, meeting in Santiago, Chile, in May 2016, on the occasion of the twenty fifth anniversary of the signing of the 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Environmental Protocol),

Recalling the 2009 ATCM XXXII Washington Ministerial Meeting Declaration on the 50th Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty,

Further recalling the 2011 Declaration on Antarctic Co-operation on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the entry into force of the Antarctic Treaty,

Recognizing the significance of the Environmental Protocol, signed in Madrid on 4 October 1991, within the Antarctic Treaty system,

Recalling the commitment of the Consultative Parties to the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems, and the designation of Antarctica as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science,

Reaffirming that the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems is in the interests of science and mankind as a whole,

Recalling the responsibilities of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties to ensure that all activities in Antarctica are consistent with the Antarctic Treaty system,

Further recalling that the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems is a fundamental consideration in planning activities and scientific research in the Antarctic Treaty area,

Determined to ensure full implementation of the principles and provisions of the Protocol and its Annexes to support comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems,

Deeply concerned about the effects of global environmental change, in particular climate change, for the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems,

Convinced that international cooperation in Antarctica is essential to effectively study global environmental changes and that the Antarctic Treaty system provides the necessary framework to enhance this cooperation,

Mindful of the need to ensure that all human activity in Antarctica is conducted in a manner that effectively promotes the continued protection of the Antarctic environment and prevents and minimizes impacts,

Reaffirming the importance of drawing upon the best available scientific and technical advice in the management of activities in Antarctica and the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems,

Recognizing the importance of the Committee on Environmental Protection as an advisory body to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings in connection with the implementation of the Environmental Protocol,

Hereby:

1.- Reaffirm their strong and unwavering commitment to the objectives and purposes of the Antarctic Treaty and its Environmental Protocol;

2.- Pledge to further strengthen their efforts to preserve and protect the Antarctic terrestrial and marine environments, bearing in mind the designation of Antarctica as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science;

3.- Reaffirm, in particular, their strong and unequivocal commitment to Articles 6 and 7 of the Environmental Protocol, which respectively set out principles on Cooperation in the planning and conduct of activities in the Antarctic Treaty area, and prohibit any activity relating to mineral resources, other than scientific research;

4.- Pledge to make all necessary efforts to bring Annex VI of the Protocol on Environmental Protection on Liability Arising from Environmental Emergencies into force, as a critical step towards implementing Articles 15 and 16 of the Environmental Protocol;

5.- Welcome the increase in Parties to the Environmental Protocol to thirty-seven Parties at the time of this declaration and encourage other States that are committed to the objectives and purposes of the Protocol to accede;

6.- Commit to ensure that current and future tourism and non-governmental activities are effectively managed, including addressing challenges and impacts arising from potential growth and diversification of such activities, bearing in mind the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty system and in particular, those contained in the Environmental Protocol;

7.- Reaffirm their intention to work together to better understand changes to the Antarctic climate and to actively seek ways to address the effects of climate change on the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems;

8.- Renew their commitment to promote co-operative programs of scientific, technical and educational value, including activities designed to protect the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems; and to facilitate the sharing of Antarctic assets and infrastructure to support collaborative scientific projects wherever possible and practicable;

9.- Reaffirm their commitment to remain vigilant and take effective and timely action to address future Antarctic environmental challenges.

Adopted at Santiago, Chile, May 30th, 2016.

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2016-10-04

Martina FILIPPIOVÁ

Hewlett-Packard Company