Building the International Legal Framework for Antarctica

Summary

The presentation will address the development of the legal framework for Antarctica starting from the discussions between a limited number of states in the 1940:ies, focusing on the legal problems and possibilities at the time. It will continue by addressing the development from a single treaty – the Antarctic Treaty - into an entire treaty regime – the Antarctic Treaty System and on how the treaty parties met the challenges and criticism of the perceived lack of legitimacy voiced by non-parties in the UN-debates, particularly in the 1980s. Finally, it will address the legality and legitimacy of the Antarctic Treaty System as it stands today. That includes a look into the crystal ball.

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