ASOC Report on XXIX ATCM – Edinburgh 2006 The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition ASOC Secretariat 1630 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20009 USA Tel +1 202 234-2480 Fax +1 202 387-4823 Email :
[email protected] www.asoc.org August 10, 2006 ASOC REPORT ON THE XXIX ANTARCTIC TREATY CONSULTATIVE MEETING Edinburgh, United Kingdom 12-23 June 2006 1 ASOC Report on XXIX ATCM – Edinburgh 2006 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BACKGROUND 1. Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCMs) give effect to obligations under the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, and the 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. 2. ATCMs are hosted by Consultative Parties (essentially voting members – currently 28) in English-language alphabetical order. All Consultative Parties attended the Edinburgh meeting. There are also 17 Non-Consultative Parties – non-voting members, although the majority do not regularly attend ATCMs (7 attended in Edinburgh). The ATCM lasts two weeks, and conducts its business through a number of Working Groups – presently four: Legal and Institutional Affairs, Tourism and Non-Governmental Activities, Operational Matters and the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP). 3. The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) has participating ‘Expert’ status at ATCMs. It is the only environmental non-governmental group with such access. IUCN and UNEP are also invited ‘Experts’. 4. The XXIX ATCM was held in Edinburgh from 12 – 23 June 2006. In addition, a pre-CEP Workshop on “Antarctica’s Future Environmental Challenges” was held on June 9-10.