The 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM-46) and the 26th Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP-26) concluded on Thursday in Kochi, Kerala. The meetings, which began on May 20, brought together over 400 delegates from 56 countries to discuss various issues related to the Antarctic region, including science, policy, governance, environmental protection, and tourism management.

Organized by the Ministry of Earth Sciences through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), the meetings focused on the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” meaning “one Earth, one family, one future,” reflecting the Antarctic Treaty’s goals of peace, scientific cooperation, and environmental preservation.

During the meetings, delegates reaffirmed the Antarctic Treaty (1959) and the Madrid Protocol (1991). An additional working group discussed developing a tourism framework for Antarctica. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju announced India’s plan to establish a new Antarctic research station, Maitri-II.

The CEP-26 focused on issues such as sea ice change, environmental impact assessments, emperor penguin protection, and creating an international framework for environmental monitoring. The committee adopted 17 management plans for Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) and updated the list of historic and monument sites.