Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting XLII & Committee for Environmental Protection Meeting XXII

Every year the original twelve Parties to the Treaty and those Parties that demonstrate their interest in Antarctica by conducting substantial research activity there - together called the Consultative Parties - meet "for the purpose of exchanging information, consulting together on matters of common interest pertaining to Antarctica, and formulating and considering and recommending to their Governments measures in furtherance of the principles and objectives of the Treaty" (Art. IX). This forum is the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM).

The entry into force of the Environment Protocol in 1998 saw the establishment of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP). The CEP usually meets concurrently with the ATCM to address matters relating to environmental protection and management and provide advice to the ATCM. Besides the regular ATCM and CEP meetings, the Consultative Parties also convene occasional Special Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings and Meetings of Experts to address specific subjects.