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MARTINA FILIPPIOVÁ
CYIL 7 ȍ2016Ȏ
Appointment of the Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty was
adopted for this purpose.
10
Remarkably, an overwhelming majority of Consultative Parties co-sponsored
a working paper that came from the pen of the USA. Such unprecedented support
was owed to its objective, which was a Confirmation of Ongoing Commitment to
the Prohibition of Mining Activity in Antarctica, other than for Scientific Research.
11
The occasion of the 25
th
anniversary of the Madrid Protocol surely called for
such a Proclamation on Antarctic Mining Ban. As it is often misunderstood that
the prohibition on Mining Activity in Antarctica expires in 2048, a Resolution
reaffirming the continued prohibition on Mining Activities in Antarctica beyond
such a year was adopted by the Meeting.
12
As every year a tour de table took place regarding the only substantial point of
the agenda item on liability, the status of ratification and implementation of Annex VI
to the Madrid Protocol. After more than 10 years from its adoption in Stockholm,
only 13 Consultative Parties approved the Annex VI.
13
Five of them, all European
States, namely Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, the Russian Federation and Sweden,
reported the application of domestic legislation implementing Annex VI while awaiting
entry into force of Annex VI. Whereas it was noted that no overall progress was
made towards the entry into force of Annex VI, the Consultative Parties that already
implemented the Annex VI offered to share their experience. By way of example, the
Netherlands prepared the background paper with its domestic legislation.
14
Antarctica is generally known as a place devoted to peace and science. As such it
is subject to extensive scientific research and cooperation. In order to increase general
knowledge of Antarctica and the scientific research in this area, the scientists (and
not only them but predominantly they) give lectures on the research activities on this
continent. In connection with that, Education and Outreach was recognized as an
important part of the activities carried out in Antarctica. For the Contracting Parties
a Forum on Education and Outreach was established and States had the opportunity
to share intersessionally information concerning key events related to Education
and Outreach and also educational materials.
15
As a good practice it was decided to
continue with this Intersessional Contact Group also next year. It was further agreed
that this contact group would also discuss the possibility of creation of a section on
Education and Outreach in Antarctica at the ATS website. Such a section might be
public and proponents of its creation suggested that it would provide a link to the
10
Decision C (2016).
11
Working paper 38. Also the Czech Republic was one of the co-sponsors.
12
Resolution D (2016).
13
Australia, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, the Russian Federation,
South Africa, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
14
Background paper 7.
15
Working paper 24.