Trust Joins Antarctic Treaty Meeting
In June, the Trust was invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to join New Zealand’s nongovernmental delegation to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), held in Milan, Italy. Representing the Trust was Heritage Manager Lizzie Meek, who attended the 14-day meeting alongside delegates from MFAT, Antarctica New Zealand, and the Department of Conservation. This marked the first time since 2014 that the Trust has had a representative at the annual gathering, which brings together 58 Parties committed to the peaceful use and environmental protection of Antarctica.
Lizzie attended to build a clearer understanding of how the ATCM and its environmental advisory body, the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP), operate, specifically how decisions are made, and where the Trust can contribute more effectively. This insight is critical to ensuring the historic huts, which fall under the Environmental Protocol, continue to be represented in key environmental and heritage discussions.
“It was fascinating and intensive,” said Lizzie. “It was clear just how much work is required behind the scenes to drive meaningful progress. For the Trust to be both effective and visible, we need to understand this space and actively engage in it.”
With the Trust’s support, New Zealand submitted an information paper to the meeting, providing an update on the Conservation Management Plans for the historic huts. While this was a non-decision paper, it served to ensure the Trust’s conservation work remains visible and understood within the wider Treaty system.
As well as providing an opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues at Antarctica New Zealand and MFAT, attending the meeting also enabled the Trust to strengthen its profile internationally and build connections with organisations working in similar heritage and environmental spaces. As the environmental pressures facing Antarctica grow, it is more important than ever that heritage remains part of these critical conversations.
