Washington — At a critical time for the Antarctic Peninsula, which scientists say is one of the fastest-warming places on Earth, and the increasing loss of summer ice in the Arctic Ocean, the first joint session of officials representing the Antarctic Treaty and the Arctic Council convened April 6 in Baltimore.

The historic meeting marks the start of the 32nd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, hosted by the United States in Baltimore April 6–17. Nearly 400 diplomats, Antarctic program managers and logistics experts, along with polar scientists from 47 countries, will discuss environmental protection, polar science and tourism.

Calling the Antarctic “one of the planet’s most remote, beautiful and dangerous places,” Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton opened the joint session April 6.

“The Antarctic is important for humanity’s understanding of our planet and our ability to anticipate and mitigate the changes caused by global warming,” she said. “With the [April 4] collapse of an ice bridge that holds in place the Wilkins Ice Shelf in the Antarctic, we are reminded that global warming has already had enormous effects on our planet and we have no time to lose in tackling this crisis.”

Clinton said attention also is needed in the Arctic, adding, “I’m very pleased the Obama administration has made it clear that we are committed to working with you and leading in our efforts, advancing toward Copenhagen to take united action on behalf of our response to global climate change.”

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (the 15th Conference of the Parties), hosted by Denmark, will take place in Copenhagen December 7–18 to draft an ambitious global climate agreement for the period beginning in 2012 when the first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol expires. Ministers and officials from 192 countries will participate.

The Baltimore meeting occurs on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty and at the conclusion of the 2007–2009 International Polar Year, a coordinated polar research effort among scientists from more than 60 nations.

U.S. initiatives to be presented at the meeting include proposals to limit the size of vessels that can land passengers in Antarctica and to establish higher standards for the use of lifeboats aboard tourist vessels that visit the southernmost continent.

POLAR STEWARDSHIP

The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum established in 1996 to promote cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic states, with involvement by the Arctic indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants, on common Arctic issues that include sustainable development and environmental protection.

Arctic Council member states are Canada, Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden and the United States. Permanent participants on the council include Arctic organizations of indigenous people. The council chairmanship rotates every two years; Denmark holds the chairmanship from 2009 to 2011.

The Antarctic Treaty, signed in the United States in 1959 by 12 nations, begins with the words, “Recognizing that it is in the interest of all mankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes ....” (See “New South Pole Station Continues 50-Year Scientific Mission.”)

The treaty guarantees freedom of scientific investigation on the southernmost continent, and treaty protocols prohibit such activities as oil, gas and mineral exploration. The treaty was the first multilateral arms-control agreement, banning nuclear explosions and military activity in the area.

The original members, called consultative nations, were Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, the French Republic, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the former Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States. The treaty entered into force on June 23, 1961.

By May 2000, 16 more nations agreed to the treaty and conducted scientific research in Antarctica — Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and Uruguay. Russia carried forward the signatory privileges and responsibilities established by the former Soviet Union.

Since then, another 18 nations have consented to the treaty — Austria, Belarus, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, the Czech Republic, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Slovak Republic, Switzerland, Turkey and Venezuela. They agree to abide by the treaty and can attend consultative meetings as observers.

The 46 Antarctic Treaty nations represent about two-thirds of the world's population.

ZONE OF PEACE

The treaty establishes Antarctica as a zone of peace. It prohibits “any measures of a military nature,” including the testing of weapons, and prohibits nuclear explosions and disposing of radioactive waste. The treaty provides a right of on-site inspection of all stations and installations in Antarctica to ensure compliance with its provisions.

To achieve these purposes, the Antarctic Treaty addresses legal and political issues concerning claims of territorial sovereignty in Antarctica. It provides that no acts or activities carried out while the treaty is in force will constitute the basis for a claim.

Seven countries — Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom — have made claims to parts of Antarctica. One sector is unclaimed.

More information about the Antarctic Treaty is available on the U.S. National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs Web site and on the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat website.