CYIL vol. 10 (2019)

CYIL 10 ȍ2019Ȏ ARCTICA AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC: HOSTING THE XLII ANTARCTIC TREATY … Czech scientists had participated in many multinational expeditions to Antarctica before they decided to build their own scientific station. Johann Gregor Mendel Czech Antarctic station on James Ross Island was built in 2007 and has been successfully operated by the Masaryk University for more than a decade. By establishing a Czech scientific station in Antarctica, the Czech Republic met the requirements of Article IX, para 2 of the Antarctic Treaty. 1 Thus, its consultative status under the Antarctic Treaty was recognized at the XXXVI ATCM in Brussels as of April 1, 2014. The consultative status is a higher institutional status which entitles the Czech Republic to participate actively in the above- mentioned consultative meetings with a right to vote and to jointly take part in decisions on the regulation of the use of Antarctica and its future. Only 28 other States have this consultative status and the Czech Republic was the last one whose status was recognized. At the domestic level the candidature of the Czech Republic was approved by the resolution of the Government of the Czech Republic of April 17, 2013, No. 280. All activities carried out in Antarctica are nationally regulated by the Act No. 276/2003 Sb., on Antarctica, which falls within the competence of the Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic. The Act on Antarctica, inter alia, sets forth conditions for submitting a notification and an application for permit, which are necessary for the trips to Antarctica and all activities carried out there. The central authority for their receipt and issuance of permits and certificates of notification is the Ministry of Environment. It also supervises the compliance with the Act on Antarctica and imposes sanctions for its violation. Only five years after the recognition of the consultative status, the Czech Republic has hosted the XLII ATCM and XXII CEP in Prague from 1 July to 11 July 2019. Over 370 participants from the Antarctic Treaty Parties, experts, representatives of civil society and international observers attended the annual Meeting. The Meeting was opened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Mr. Tomáš Petříček. A Chair of the Meeting was the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Mr. Martin Smolek. The Czech delegation was led by the Director of the International Law Department at the Ministry Mr. Petr Válek. I had the privilege to gain a firsthand experience of the organisation of this ATCM and also actively participate as a member of the Czech delegation and therefore would like to share the Meeting´s results and my experience with the wider international law community. The ATCM traditionally discussed wide range of topics according to the agenda and Multi-Year Strategic Work Plan. Strengthening of international collaboration in scientific and operational matters and exchange of information remained at the centre of the ATCM discussions. A special seminar dedicated to status and impact of hydrography in Antarctic waters was held in the margins of this year’s ATCM. Hydrographic data of oceans around Antarctica are still very sparse and the Parties were called for collaboration in collecting these data. Apart from their importance for the safety of navigation, they are crucial for creation of marine knowledge which is necessary for avoiding negative impacts to Antarctica’s marine eco-system. The ATCM recognized the importance of collection and data sharing 1 Article X para. 2 reads as follows: „Each Contracting Party which has become a party to the present Treaty by accession under Article XIII shall be entitled to appoint representatives to participate in the meetings referred to in paragraph 1 of the present Article, during such time as that Contracting Party demonstrates its interest in Antarctica by conducting substantial scientific research activity there, such as the establishment of a scientific station or the despatch of a scientific expedition.“

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