43rd ATCM – Adoption of the Paris Declaration, 23rd June 2021

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the entry into force of the Antarctic Treaty on June 23, 1961, and of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Environmental Protocol) on October 4, 1991, the Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty,

Recalling the 2019 Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) XLII Prague Declaration on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty,

Further recalling the 2016 ATCM XXXIX Santiago Declaration on the Twenty Fifth Anniversary of the signing of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty,

Recalling also that 2021 is the 60th anniversary of the first Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, held in Canberra,
Recognising the significance of the Environmental Protocol within the Antarctic Treaty system and as a normative example to other international systems,

Recalling the commitment 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 humankind as a whole,

Recognising the achievements of the application of the Antarctic Treaty in preserving and promoting peace and international cooperation in Antarctica, and that it is in the interest of all humankind that Antarctica continue to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes,
Affirming the openness of the Antarctic Treaty system to all States with an interest in Antarctica and willing to abide by its principles and regulations,

Mindful that freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica and peaceful international cooperation are cornerstones of the Antarctic Treaty, and that international cooperation in scientific research in Antarctica has resulted in important contributions to scientific knowledge,
Recalling the responsibilities of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties to conduct all activities in Antarctica in accordance 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,

Noting the projected growth of tourism and non-governmental activities, and the potential environmental impacts associated with growth and diversification of activities, and welcoming all efforts by Parties to discuss these matters and propose adequate action,

Noting with deep concern the effects of global environmental change, in particular climate change, for the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems,

Recalling the importance of the CEP Climate Change Response Work Programme and its vision of preparing for, and building resilience to, the environmental impacts of a changing climate, in the context of the Paris Agreement´s objective of limiting the increase in global average temperature to well below 2° C above pre-industrial level and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial level, as well as associated ambitious measures to mitigate climate change and increase adaptation efforts to its effects,

Taking into consideration the conclusions of the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate adopted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2019,

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,

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

Underscoring the ability of the Antarctic Treaty system to evolve and adapt, including in response to current and future tourism and non-governmental activities, the incorporation of new Parties in the Antarctic Treaty, and the installation of new stations,
Recognising the cumulative effect of the Antarctic Treaty system instruments to that end, in particular of the Antarctic Treaty, as well as the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals, 1972, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, 1980, and the Environmental Protocol,

Hereby:

1. Reaffirm their strong and unwavering commitment to the objectives of the Antarctic Treaty, its Environmental Protocol and other instruments of the Antarctic Treaty system;

2. Reaffirm the importance of the contribution made by the Treaty and by Article IV in particular, to ensuring the continuance of international harmony in Antarctica;

3. Confirm that the Antarctic Treaty system facilitates the effective and enduring international governance of Antarctica, providing for Antarctica´s use exclusively for peaceful purposes, as provided in Article 1 of the Antarctic Treaty, guaranteeing freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation to that end, and designating Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science;

4. Reaffirm their commitment to the Environmental Protocol, and in particular their strong and unequivocal commitment to its Articles 6 and 7, 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;

5. Reaffirm their commitment to safeguard the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems and to remain vigilant and continue to identify and effectively address current and future Antarctic environmental challenges by taking effective and timely action;

6. Appreciate the significant contribution of the Committee for Environmental Protection as a fundamental source of the best available advice on environmental stewardship to inform decisions of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings;

7. Reaffirm their commitment to work together to better understand changes to the Antarctic climate and to implement actions consistent with the Paris Agreement’s goals, with a view to limiting the adverse impacts of climate change on the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems, protecting ecosystems, and improving Antarctica’s resilience to climate change;

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

9. Aim to make all necessary efforts to bring into force all Measures adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings in accordance with the Antarctic Treaty;

10. Reaffirm the importance of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CAMLR Convention) within the Antarctic Treaty system and aim to continue to cooperate closely with the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), in particular to strengthen our joint efforts to conserve Antarctic marine living resources, in support of the objectives of the Antarctic Treaty system;

11. Reinforce the value of the engagement of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) in providing scientific advice; and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) in providing advice and assistance on issues relating to Antarctic operations to Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings;

12. Emphasize their commitment within the Antarctic Treaty system 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 and to limit additional permanent changes to the natural Antarctic environment;

13. Reaffirm their commitment to regulate tourism and non-governmental activities in an effective manner, including addressing challenges arising from regulatory compliance, potential growth and diversification of such activities and associated environmental impacts, bearing in mind the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty system and in particular, those contained in the Environmental Protocol;

14. Reaffirm their commitment to take account of best available scientific and technical advice in the planning and conduct of their activities in Antarctica, including in the preparation of environmental impact assessments and in the designation and preparation of management plans for Antarctic Specially Protected Areas and Antarctic Specially Managed Areas;

15. Reaffirm their commitment to the protection of Antarctic Historic Sites and Monuments which collectively demonstrate the international heritage of the exploration of Antarctica;

16. Reaffirm their commitment to pursue their efforts to protect native fauna and flora, including by preventing the introduction of non-native species, and to reduce as far as practicable the amount of waste produced or disposed of in the Antarctic Treaty area, in particular by reducing plastic pollution;

17. Encourage States that are not Parties to the Antarctic Treaty and are committed to its objectives and purposes to accede to it; and

18. Welcome the increase in Parties to the Environmental Protocol to forty-one Parties at the time of this declaration and encourage those States that are Party to the Antarctic Treaty but not yet Party to the Environmental Protocol, including its Annexes, as well as other instruments of the Antarctic Treaty system in accordance with their provisions, to accede to them.

Adopted in Paris, June 23rd, 2021