Thirty-nine nations are meeting in Paris to determine the fate of Antarctica. They will review the 1959 Antarctica treaty that expires in 1991, but more importantly, the 1988 Antarctica Minerals Convention that would have allowed controlled mining and oil exploration there. The Convention was not ratified by Australia, one of seven claimant nations with veto power. Thirty-nine nations meet in Paris this week on the controversial future of Antarctica. None holds title; sixteen nations fly flags there. In a recent interview, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she had been “very disappointed” at Australia’s failure to ratify the Antarctic Treaty. Many nations are pressing for controlled exploitation of the continent, others argue for it to remain unspoiled.
Thirty-nine nations are meeting in Paris to determine the fate of Antarctica. They will review the 1959 Antarctica treaty that expires in 1991, but more importantly, the 1988 Antarctica Minerals Convention that would have allowed controlled mining and oil exploration there. The Convention was not ratified by Australia, one of seven claimant nations with veto power. None holds title; sixteen nations fly flags there. In a recent interview, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she had been “very disappointed” at Australia’s failure to ratify the Antarctic Treaty. Many nations are pressing for controlled exploitation of the continent, others argue for it to remain unspoiled.