India Hosts 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and 26th Committee for Environmental Protection in Kochi
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46) and 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26) |
| Dates | May 20 to 30, 2024 |
| Location | Kochi, Kerala, India |
| Host | Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, in collaboration with the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) |
| Antarctic Treaty | Enacted in 1959, enforced in 1961; designates Antarctica as a zone for peace, scientific collaboration, and environmental preservation; ratified by over 56 countries |
| Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) | Established under the Madrid Protocol in 1991; advises ATCM on environmental conservation and protection in Antarctica |
| India's Role | Consultative Party since 1983; operates two year-round research stations - Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012); actively participates in ATCM decision-making |
| Key Focus | Addressing challenges in Antarctica, fostering collaboration in environmental preservation and scientific research |