46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting

Current Context : India is set to host the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP).

• It is hosted by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa, an autonomous research institute under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Held from 20 to 30 May 2024 in Kochi, Kerala.
• Aim : to foster international collaboration on scientific research and sustainable resource management in the icy continent.
• Participation : 350 participants from nearly 40 nations.

ABOUT ANTARCTIC TREATY CONSULTATIVE MEETING (ATCM)

• The ATCM and CEP are high-level global annual meetings conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty, a multilateral agreement of 56 Contracting Parties signed in 1959.
• Member countries discuss the issues pertaining to the science, policy, governance, management, preservation and protection of Antarctica.
• The ATCM is administered through the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat headquartered in Argentina.

ABOUT COMMITTEE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (CEP)

• THE CEP was established under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol) in 1991.
• The CEP advises the ATCM on environmental protection and conservation in Antarctica.