Antarctica has been able to maintain its enviable position as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science in spite of several upheavals in the international geopolitical scenario ever since the Treaty was signed in 1961. However, the world has changed considerably since the 1960s with emergence of a new world order where China and some Asian nations have become stronger in technological and financial arena to give a tough competition to original signatories. Though the domination of developed western world still continues in several policymaking platforms but future is bound to see growing assertions from others in pushing their own aspirations. With the year 2048 being at the back of mind, all the Consultative and Non -Consultative Parties will continue to strive hard to push their agenda forward. The growing impact of the climate change on the Antarctic environment forms part of several intercessional contact groups and long term projects of CEP. There is also a growing acceptance of contribution of scientific research in the matters of Antarctic environment and more collaborative projects and coordination among the nations will be a rule in future. Though all the articles of Treaty and Environmental Protocol remain crucial to the success of continuation of the Antarctic System, the Article 3 of the Environment Protocol which sets forth basic principles applicable to human activities in Antarctica and Article 7 that prohibits all activities relating to Antarctic mineral resources (except for scientific research) will continue to remain priority for all the time of the life of the Treaty as prohibition on mineral resource activities cannot be removed unless a binding legal regime on Antarctic mineral resource activities is in force (Art. 25.5). The requirement that protection of the environment shall be a fundamental consideration in the planning and conductance of all activities in the Antarctica will remain intact in the near future. The future ATCMs are likely to put extra pressure on the CPs for ratification of the Annex VI on Liability arising from the Environmental Emergencies ( adopted in 2005 but not yet entered into Force), as several CPs have not yet ratified it. The growth of tourism in Antarctica and its regulations to make it a responsible activity following the protocols of a non-invasive activity of non-native species – is also likely to receive continued attention.
