Which treaty, signed in 1959, governs international activity in Antarctica?

The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959, governs international activity in Antarctica.

Twelve countries signed the treaty in Washington, D.C., on 1 December 1959, and it entered into force in 1961. It applies to the area south of 60 degrees south latitude and establishes Antarctica as a region devoted to peace and scientific research.

The treaty prohibits military measures such as military bases, weapons testing and military manoeuvres, although military personnel and equipment may support scientific work. It also freezes the legal position of territorial claims rather than settling them.

The treaty is the foundation of the broader Antarctic Treaty System, which includes later agreements on environmental protection and marine living resources. The Protocol on Environmental Protection, adopted in 1991, designates Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science.