Antarctic Treaty

Why in news ? Recently, the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty was celebrated. The Antarctic treaty remains the only example of a single treaty that governs a whole continent. It is also the foundation of a rules-based international order for a continent without a permanent population. About: The Antarctic Treaty was signed between 12 countries in Washington on 1stDecember 1959 for making the Antarctic Continent a demilitarized zone to be preserved for scientific research only. The twelve original signatories are Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the UK and the US. It entered into force in 1961 and has since been....Read More