All Treaties
Antarctic Treaty
RatifiedMultilateral Treatyantarcticaenvironmentscienceterritorial-claims
Date Adopted
1959-12-01
U.S. Ratification
1960-08-18
Summary
The Antarctic Treaty designates Antarctica as a scientific preserve, freezes territorial claims, prohibits military activity, and promotes international scientific cooperation. The Protocol on Environmental Protection (Madrid Protocol, 1991) designates Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science and prohibits mineral resource activities.
Parties
United StatesUnited KingdomRussiaFranceArgentinaAustraliaChile54 Parties
U.S. Implementing Legislation
Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978
16 U.S.C. §§ 2401–2413
Implements the treaty by regulating U.S. activities in Antarctica, including environmental protection, wildlife conservation, and waste management.
Key Cases
Antarctic Treaty implementation has not generated significant U.S. case law