2022/12/29

名詞介紹

南極條約

Antarctic Treaty

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基本資料

如果說全世界最與世隔絕、最世外桃源的一塊淨土,大概就是南極洲了。20世紀之前,有七個國家都說自己擁有南極洲的主權,吵得不可開交。終於在1959年,12個國家共同簽署《南極條約》,確認南極不屬於任何一國,並列出幾大重點,其中最重要的三項如下:
● 各國在南極的行為只能是以和平為目的,任何跟軍事相關的事務一概禁止。
● 科學研究或其他和平目的是被允許的。
● 締約的任何一方都須放棄原本主張的南極主權。
現在這個條約已經增加到28個協商國和22個非協商國,總共在南極洲設有70個永久性的研究站。但身為人類最後一塊未開發淨土,冰層底下擁有全世界已知的最大煤田,以及全球70%的淡水,無論是資源本身還是科學價值,都讓各國趨之若鶩。預料地球暖化後,人類在南極的活動將會大幅增加,國際衝突在所難免。

Antarctica is probably the world’s last great wilderness. Before the 20th century, seven sovereign states had made eight territorial claims in Antarctica and conflict arose. In 1959, the Antarctic Treaty agreement was signed by 12 nations, stating that Antarctica doesn’t belong to anyone. The three key points include: Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only. Any measures of a military nature are prohibited. 

The present Treaty shall not prevent the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes. No acts or activities taking place while the present Treaty is in force shall constitute a basis for asserting, supporting, or denying a claim to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica. 

The Treaty now has 28 Consultative Parties and 22 Non-Consultative Signatory Parties on the basis of being among the original signatories or conducting substantial research there. There are currently 70 permanent research stations scattered across the continent of Antarctica. As the world’s last great wilderness, Antarctica has reserves of oil and coal, and the present Antarctic ice sheet accounts for 70% of the Earth’s fresh water. Whether it’s for scientific research or because of its natural resources, Antarctica has attracted the attention of many countries. Climate change is predicted to increase human activities in Antarctica, so further International conflicts would seem to be unavoidable. 

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