SCAR XXXVI Paper 17: Report of Standing Committee on the Antarctic Treaty System (SCATS) Popular

SCAR XXXVI Delegates Meeting, Online, 16-25 March 2021

SCAR XXXVI Paper 17: Report of Standing Committee on the Antarctic Treaty System (SCATS)

Agenda Item: 10.1
Person Responsible: Aleks Terauds

Authors: Aleks Terauds (Australia)

Summary of activities from 2018-20
The SCAR Standing Committee on the Antarctic Treaty System (SC-ATS) continued to focus on the provision of advice to the Antarctic Treaty System and engaged in a range of international activities that enhanced SCAR’s reputation as a provider of independent scientific advice and as a leader in Antarctic research. These activities have included active participation in the 2018 and 2019 CCAMLR Meetings, a workshop on Antarctic Tourism in 2019, the 2019 CEP/ATCM meetings, the development and support of one major international workshop, maintaining an active and influential role in the Antarctic Environments Portal and direct involvement in a diverse range of research projects.

Despite the postponement of the 2020 ATCM/CEP, SC-ATS continues to develop and finalize submissions and contribute to intersessional discussions, including the development of new policy-relevant advice through active engagement with international scientists and policy makers. To help achieve this, SC-ATS is continually working on developing ideas to underpin future international initiatives.

The term of current Chief Officer Aleks Terauds will come to an end in September 2020. Following discussions with the SCAR Executive Committee and SCAR Secretariat, we would like to nominate Dr Susie Grant as the new Chief Officer of SC-ATS for the term 2020-2024 and recommend that the Delegates endorse her appointment to this role.