The Antarctic Treaty celebrates the 60th anniversary of its entry into force on 23 June 2021. The Treaty names Canberra as the place of the first meeting of the parties, and this occurred at Parliament House on 10-24 July 1961.

The Treaty, negotiated in 1959, is the sole example of an international legal instrument that governs a single continent. It has been very successful in diminishing sovereignty tensions over Antarctica and ensuring the continent has been reserved for scientific research, peaceful purposes, and environmental protection. Over the 60 years there have been a number of tensions between the Antarctic Treaty parties, most notably with respect to whether mining should be permitted.

In 1991 the Madrid Protocol to the Treaty placed a prohibition on mining activities and emphasised Antarctic environmental protection. However, the mining ban could be subject to review in 2048. The seminar aims to review the history of the Antarctic Treaty and reflect upon the strengths and weaknesses of the associated Antarctic Treaty System. Australia’s role will be particularly considered. The future of the Antarctic Treaty will also be assessed. Speakers will be asked to consider whether a treaty negotiated at the height of the Cold War is capable of dealing with new environmental and geopolitical challenges in the 2020s and beyond.