part iv additional documents from xxx atcm - Antarctic Treaty ...

ANNEX I
Message from ATCM XXX to Stations in the Antarctic
The Thirtieth Antarctic Consultative Meeting (ATCM XXX) was hosted by the Government of
India, at New Delhi, India from 30 April to 11 May 2007.
The Honourable Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Mr Kapil Sibal, in his
inaugural address drew the attention of the Delegations to the role played by the Antarctic Treaty in
teaching us good governance and environmental stewardship in Antarctica, besides being a precursor
to the Space Treaty. He further observed that the International Polar Year has brought countries
together for the launch of a comprehensive science mission. He called upon the Antarctic Treaty
Parties to cooperate in the scientific pursuit and evolve consensual scientific programmes endorsed
by a mutuality of interest and to address the importance of the polar region in the context of global
climate change and its impact on our environment and the human beings, going by the recent data
and issues thrown up by the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change.
More than three hundred delegates and experts representing over forty-six countries and organizations
participated in the Meeting. During the deliberations, forty-five Working Papers and over one hundred
and forty Information Papers were discussed, a record for the ATCM. The focus was on environmental
protection, Antarctic tourism, global climate change and the preservation of the pristine Antarctic
environment as a continent of peace and science. ATCM XXX introduced two new Antarctic Specially
Managed Areas, No 5: Amundsen – Scott South Pole Station, and No 6: Larsemann Hills, East
Antarctica as well as revising plans for two Antarctic Specially Protected Areas, No 109: Moe
Island, South Orkney Islands, and No 129: Rothera Point, Adelaide Island. Among other measures,
the Meeting adopted a Resolution recommending Parties to discourage or decline landing of
passengers in the Antarctic Treaty area by ships carrying more than 500 passengers.
A special lecture on "Climate Change" by Prof. Chris Rapley, Chairman of the Scientific Committee
for Antarctic Research (SCAR) and Director of the British Antarctic Survey was organized on the
occasion of ATCM XXX by SCAR. The lecture was very informative on global warming and climate
change and the importance of Antarctic research in continuous monitoring of climate variations.
From the capital of India – New Delhi, which is in its summer, the delegations participating in the
Thirtieth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting send their best wishes to all who are wintering in
the Antarctic. We salute your efforts in your scientific pursuits in the pristine Antarctic continent,
and in guarding the principles of the Antarctic Treaty.
Prof. U.R. Rao
Chairman of ATCM XXX – 11 May 2007
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