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

Message from the XXV Consultative Meeting To Stations in the Antarctic
The twenty fifth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM XXV) was hosted by tyhe Polish
government in the city of Warsaw between 10 and 20 September. A focus of the Treaty meeting
continues to be consideration of measures to protect the unique Antarctic environment, and to preserve
the continent as a place of peaceful cooperation. This years’ATCM XXV addressed a large and varied
agenda to this end. Highlights included:
Two parties to the Antarctic Treaty (Romania and Czech Republic) announced they would soon
finalise their legal processes for ratification of the Madrid Protocol.
Extensive discusscussions were held on the establishment of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat i n
Buenos Aires in Argentina; and on liability issues under Article 16 of the Madrid Protocol.
Preliminary discussions were held on issues arising from biological prospecting in Antarctica. The
ATCM agreeed to continue discussion of these important issues at its next meeting in Madrid in June
2003.
CEP V is the first CEP meeting to be held since Annex V of the Madrid Protocol came into force. The
commitee considered 16 new and ten revised management plans for Antartcic Specially Protected
Areas. The commitee also commended a review of Annex II on the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna
and Flora, including work on Antarctic Specially Protected Species.
The CEP examined proposed draft guidelines for the operation of aircraft near concentrations of birds
in Antarctica. It was noted that these general guidelines would be useful to aircraft operating in areas
where site specific plans or guidelines do not apply. A number of parties provided information on
their efforts to remove waste from Antarctic sites. The ATCM welcomed these efforts and noted thet
the varying approaches provided valuable case studies for all treaty parties. Of interest to many
parties, Lake Vostok, the largest sub glacial yet identified in Antarctica was the subject of significant
discussions on ice drilling technology and the need to avoid contaminating the lake. Comprehensive
Environmental Evaluation will be completed before any attempt to penetrate the lake is undertaken.
The work of the ATCM and the CEP is increasingly facilitated by intersessional contact groups (ICGs)
working by e-mail between normal meetings on a range of issues. The work of the ICGs has enabled
the most efficient use of meeting time , and the ability of the CEP to manage its expanding work. The
CEP warmly thanked Dr Olav Orheim of Norway, outgoing chair of the CEP , for his adept and
productive leadership of the Comitee. Dr Tony Press of Australia was elected as chair of the next CEP.
The ATCM passed a resolution to provide support for the Commission for the Conservaqtion of
Antarctioc Living Resources (CCAMLR) and its action to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated
Fishing for Dissostichus spp (toothfish).
To all those in Antarcica for the 2002 winter, the delegations participating in the XXV Consultative
Meeting, send their warmest greetings and wish you every succes in your important scientific
endeavours during the coming months. Your work on the ice, sometimes in difficult and lonely
conditions is much admired by the Treaty parties, who deeply appreciate your efforts to implement the
Treaty’s principles in this remarkable continent.