United Kingdom-Australia Antarctic co-operation priorities: 2021 to 2026
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The UK and Australia have identified priority areas for 2021 to 2026, to develop their historical close co-operation on Antarctic and Southern Ocean issues. The UK and Australia delegations to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and their National Antarctic Programmes agreed these priorities.
The document was announced alongside the unveiling of a UK-Swiss Antarctic memorial in Hobart, Tasmania on 25 May 2021. Published 25 May 2021
The Davis aerodrome and Australia’s leadership in the Antarctic
RAAF C-17A Globemaster III at Wilkins Aerodrome in Antarctica for Operation Southern Discovery 20/21 (Defence Department) Published 3 May 2021 06:00 0 Comments
Since the Davis aerodrome project in Antarctica was proposed in 2018 by the Australian government, there have been continuing debates about the potential environmental costs, as well as its geopolitical implications, in light of Australia’s sovereign claims to 42% of the frozen continent and its adjacent waters. The government has stated the proposed paved runway near the Davis research station will provide “reliable year-round aviation access to Antarctica” in addition to the existing ice runway at Wilkins aerodrome, which is only suitable in summer months.
The Polar Policies in China’s New Five-Year Plan
The inclusion of Arctic and Antarctic policies within the new FYP represents the emerging importance of the two poles to China.
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March 12, 2021
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The release this week by the Chinese government of its 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP), which will guide the country’s economic policies until 2025, was swiftly and predictably put under a microscope within the country, as well as by the international community. Included within the plan, and representing a significant shift from previous like policy documents, was a brief but telling statement confirming Beijing’s interest in further developing the Polar Silk Road as a component of the wider Belt and Road Initiative, while calling for further engagement with both the Arctic Ocean region and Antarctica.
Eyes on the Prize: Australia, China, and the Antarctic Treaty System
Despite China’s increasing assertiveness in Antarctica, the Antarctic Treaty System is not failing and Australia should refrain from geostrategic panic
Claire Young
Key Findings
Australia’s interests in Antarctica are better served by the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) than anything we could negotiate today. We should redouble our commitment to its ideals of science-driven, rules-based management and counter the narrative of ATS ‘failure’.
China is pushing the boundaries of ATS practice by exploiting fisheries and tourism, and probably seeking access to Western technologies in Antarctica. And in the future, Beijing could lead a coalition of states seeking mineral riches that only China is likely to be capable of retrieving.