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PROTOCOL TO THE ANTARCTIC TREATY ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Objectives
==========
To reaffirm the status of the Antarctica as a special conservation
area, and to enhance the framework for the protection of the Antarctic
environment with its dependent and associated ecosystems.
Summary of provisions
=====================
(a) A statement of the environmental principles governing the
conduct of States Parties in relation to the Antarctica. The basic
principle is to protect the Antarctic environment and dependent and
associated ecosystems as well as the intrinsic value of the Antarctica
with its aesthetic values, as well as its status as a place of research
(art. 3);
(b) Requirement of cooperation among States Parties in the
planning and conduct of activities in the Antarctic Treaty area (art.
6);
(c) Prohibition of mineral resource enterprises in the Antarctic
Treaty area, save for purposes of scientific research (art. 7);
(d) Requirement of environmental impact assessment in the
Antarctic Treaty area in respect of activities that are likely to
entail significant adverse environmental consequences (art. 8);
(e) Machinery is established for effecting consultation and
monitoring in respect of activities undertaken by States Parties in the
Antarctica (arts. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14);
(f) Responsibility is placed on States Parties for appropriate
action to deal with any emergency that may ensue from their activities
in the Antarctica (art. 15);
(g) Obligation is placed on States parties to report annually on
actions taken by them to implement the Protocol (art. 17);
(h) Dispute settlement procedures are set out (arts. 18, 19 and
20);
(i) The Protocol has a schedule on arbitration.
(j) The Protocol has the following annexes: environment impact
assessment; conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora; waste disposal
and waste management; prevention of marine pollution.
Membership
==========
The Protocol is open to any State which is a Contracting Party
to the Antarctic Treaty.
Date of adoption 3.10.1991
Place of adoption Madrid, Spain
Date of entry into force Not yet in force
Languages English, French, Russian, Spanish.
Depositary United States of America
Participant Signature
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Argentina 4.10.1991
Australia 4.10.1991
Austria 4.10.1991
Belgium 4.10.1991
Brazil 4.10.1991
Canada 4.10.1991
Chile 4.10.1991
China 4.10.1991
Colombia 4.10.1991
Democratic People's
Republic of Korea 4.10.1991
Denmark 4.10.1991
Ecuador 4.10.1991
Finland 4.10.1991
France 4.10.1991
Germany 4.10.1991
Greece 4.10.1991
Hungary 4.10.1991
India 4.10.1991
Italy 4.10.1991
Netherlands 4.10.1991
New Zealand 4.10.1991
Norway 4.10.1991
Peru 4.10.1991
Poland 4.10.1991
Republic of Korea 4.10.1991
Romania 4.10.1991
Russian Federation 4.10.1991
South Africa 4.10.1991
Spain 4.10.1991
Sweden 4.10.1991
Switzerland 4.10.1991
United Kingdom 4.10.1991
United States of America 4.10.1991
Uruguay 4.10.1991
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