Antarctic Treaty System
Also known as ATS, Antarctic Treaty
international treaties concerning Antarctica
AI overview
The Antarctic Treaty System is a set of international agreements that govern how countries interact with Antarctica and its resources. It matters because it establishes rules for scientific cooperation, environmental protection, and peaceful use of the continent, preventing it from becoming a source of conflict between nations.
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Wikidata facts
- Official website
- www.ats.aq/index_f.html
- Image
- Emblem of the Antarctic Treaty.svg
Article
A 2002 satellite composite image of Antarctica
The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively known as the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica, Earth's only continent without a native human population. It was the first arms control agreement established during the Cold War, designating the continent as a scientific preserve, establishing freedom of scientific investigation, and banning military activity; for the purposes of the treaty system, Antarctica is defined as all the land and ice shelves south of 60°S latitude. Since September 2004, the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat, which implements the treaty system, is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina.