U2NESCO 2017
CHAIR REPORT
Committee: Environment and Sustainable Development
Agenda: On Measures of Implementing Global Standards of Developing the North and South Poles
Officer: Marcel Lee
Introduction
Resources are limited. It is our obligation to explore and discover new resources to support the
growing population while reducing the environmental costs. On January 2016, The United Nations (UN)
have devised Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to continue the legacies of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs). UN’s initiative is to promote the improvement of our future through the
balance of economic development and protection of the environment (un.org). Because the opposing
views on economic development and environmental protection often clash without concessions, the
“equilibrium point” is difficult to reach. Fortunately, the polar exploration provides an answer to this
conundrum with abundant renewable resources and opportunities for ecosystem and environmental
investigations. In Antarctica, over 70 permanent scientific bases have been established to represent 30
nations. Their mission varies from monitoring the climate changes to the ecosystem and biodiversity.
The Antarctic treaty, signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the 12 countries, marked the
commencement of the international cooperation in Antarctica(oceanwide-expedition.com). On the other
side of the globe, the Arctic world also contributed to the global society. This September, the Obama
Administration hosted the First-Ever Arctic Science Ministerial to advance international scientific
exploration efforts (whitehouse.gov).
These efforts from the multiple countries immensely catalyzed our sustainable development.
Nevertheless, this marathon must not stop in order for us to meet the 17 ambitious goals. To further
explore the two unknown worlds, the global society is ought to cooperate. Apart from the individual
research held by few nations in the Poles, the member states in the UN must conduct multinational
projects to move one step closer to the sustainable development. There are several preliminary concerns
to this ideal movement. Although agreements such as the Antarctic Treaty System provides a general
guideline, there still lacks a trenchant solution on specific means to show international collaboration.
Also, the dispute on the direction of the coordinated effort still remains unsettled. A “global standard”
is in need to have a major leap in the development of Antarctic and Arctic regions.
In the past course of the issue, analysis on climate changes and biodiversity were the two major
portions of the polar studies. Whether to maintain this trend or advocate a shift in the paradigm is an
important question to consider. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) categorizes
the Antarctic studies into 5 categories. The future development of the North and South Poles will be
based on the 5 studies classified by SCAR. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) has been funding the International Committee of Science Union (ICSU) in
which the SCAR is subordinated. Sustainability and development come from continuous efforts and
struggle. The world must seek means to achieve development goals in the North and South Poles with
a multilateral unity.
Definition of Key Terms
Arctic:
Northernmost region of the Earth centered on the North Pole and characterized by distinctively polar
conditions of climate, plant and animal life, and other physical features. The Arctic consists of the Arctic
Ocean and territories of 8 Arctic nations. The Arctic's climate is characterized by cold winters and cool
summers.
Arctic Circle:
The northernmost circle of latitude of Earth. The region within this circle is known as the Arctic.
Image from CIA World Factbook.
Antarctica:
The southernmost continent. Governed by parties to the Antarctic Treaty System. The landmass is
almost wholly covered by ice. The name literally means “opposite to the Arctic”. Several research
stations are built in Antarctica.
Antarctic Treaty System
A set of agreement related to the international relations with Antarctica. Signed in 1961 by 12 nations,
and has 53 parties as of 2016. The treaty dismissed all territorial claims regarding Antarctica, outlawing
all military activities within it and expressing diplomatic operation and scientific cooperation in
Antarctica. The treaty will be open for review in 2048.
Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy
It is also referred as the Finnish Initiative. It is a non-binding agreement among the 8 Arctic states about
the environmental issues in the Arctic. It encourages the nations to show responsibility towards
protection and conservation of the Arctic zone.
History
Investigation in the South and North poles began as early as the Age of Exploration. Aroused
by their curiosity towards the unknown worlds, the explorers sailed further North and South. It was
1773 when Great Britain’s explorer James Cook crossed the Antarctic circles and circumnavigated
Antarctica. Since then, humans from multiple continents visited the two “white world”. The modern
scientific approach held in the poles began when the Antarctic Treaty was ratified by 12 nations.
Event
Establishment of the first permanent base in
Antarctica by the Scottish National Antarctica
Expedition.
Foundation of Science Committee on Antarctic
Research (SCAR) by the International
Committee of Science Union (ICSU). The
purpose of the foundation was to coordinate
Antarctic research and identify great scientific
understanding.
The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) was signed
by 12 nations. The Articles in the treaty ensured
Antarctica as a hub of the scientific preserve by
outlawing military activities and establishing
freedom of scientific exploration in Antarctica.
The ATS entered into force.
The United Nation General Assembly adopted
Resolution 40/156 on “the question of
Antarctica” with the unanimous vote. The
resolution Invites the Antarctic Treaty
Consultative Parties to cooperate with the UN
(UN).
The recognition of Ozone hole in Antarctica. Past
claims about ozone depletion in Antarctica were
dismissed as a measurement error.
8 Arctic nations (Canada, Kingdom of Denmark,
Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and
the US) signed the Arctic Environmental
Protection Strategy (AEPS). “The AEPS deals
with monitoring, assessment, protection,
emergency
preparedness/response,
and
conservation of the Arctic zone” (carc.org). This
treaty is also known as the “Madrid Protocol.”
The Madrid Protocol entered into force.
The Formation of Arctic Council between 8
nations with territory in the Arctic in the Ottawa
Declaration. The purpose of this council is to
Time
1903
March 1958
December 1, 1959
1961
December 16, 1983
1985
October 4, 1991
1998
1996
resolve the regional territorial dispute and
conduct studies.
Several United Nations meetings and Antarctic/ 1996-2013
Arctic-related council meetings to amend
previous treaties and cooperate.
The Arctic Council Ministers adopted a “Vision 2013
for the Arctic”. The vision committed the Arctic
states to “pursue opportunities to expand the
Arctic Council’s roles from policy-shaping to
policy-making” (SAO Chair David Balton)
The US hosted the First Arctic Science September 28, 2016
Ministerial (ASM) in order to advance
International Research efforts. 25 governments
sent representatives to participate in the ASM.
Together, the nations issued a joint statement
with 4 themes (whitehouse.gov).
Major Parties Involved
Arctic Council:
Established by the 8 Arctic nations (Canada, Kingdom of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway,
Russia, Sweden, and the US) to resolve their territorial dispute and brainstorms peaceful means to use
resources in the Arctic. The chairmanship of the Arctic Council rotates every two years between the 8
Arctic nations. In the past meetings, numerous technological reports were prepared under their
initiatives of the Arctic Council. One of the most notable is the development of Arctic Environmental
Protection Strategy. The main objective of this strategy lists as:
"Preserving environmental quality and natural resources,
accommodating environmental protection principals with the needs
and traditions of Arctic Native peoples, monitoring environmental
conditions, and reducing and eventually eliminating pollution in the
Arctic Environment." (Office of Technology Assessment.)
Argentina:
Argentina has a claim over a sector of Antarctica as part of its sovereign territory. Because this
region overlaps with Britain and Chile’s claim in Antarctica, Argentina often confronted the two nations
in international occasions. Nevertheless, after the Antarctic Treaty, which Argentina signed as a
founding member, suspended all territorial claims regarding Antarctica, Argentina cooperated with the
international community to encourage further development of this continent. Argentina established
several permanent and seasonal stations since the late 1950s. Around 190-200 Argentinians are
populated in Antarctica.
Australia/New Zealand:
The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) located in Antarctica was originally claimed by the
United Kingdom which had Australia as its colony. It was the largest territorial claim in Antarctica. As
a result of Antarctic Treaty’s arbitration, only 4 other countries- UK, France, New Zealand, and
Norway- acknowledge this claim. After the treaty, Australia claimed an Exclusive Economic Zone in
this region (EEZ), but this claim remains contested. Australia is also warned by the international
societies including the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society for its whaling activities in the Antarctic
seas.
In the year of 1996, New Zealand set up an institute called “Antarctica New Zealand” in Ross
Dependency. Because New Zealand was also a former colony of the UK, its activities in Antarctica
were carried out with UK’s assistances. New Zealand operated a research program called the New
Zealand Antarctic Research Program (NZARP) from 1959 to 1996 in order to assist research in
Antarctica. This program achieved several accomplishments including organizing the first successful
women expedition missions to the South Pole
Canada:
A large portion of the Northern territory of Canada is within the Arctic circle. Canada has
claimed the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and Herschel (located near the Canadian Yukon coast) as its
territory. The Canadian Arctic Archipelago is a group of 36,563 islands in the Arctic sea. The Canadian
government has made significant effort to slow down the effects of global warming in this region.
Because few other nations have overlapping claims with Canada on the Arctic region, the Canadian
government created a special policy towards the Arctic region. Canada’s policy is to decentralize the
power of the Canadian government to this territory, allowing the formation of regional governments in
this region.
Chile:
Chile’s territorial claim overlaps with the Argentine and British Antarctic claims. On June 21,
1955, the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:
“The Chilean Antarctica or Chilean Antarctic Territory is: all lands,
islands, islets, reefs, glaciers (pack-ice), and others, known and
unknown, and respective territorial waters, existing within the limits
of the cap constituted by the meridians 53° longitude west of
Greenwich and 90° longitude west of Greenwich.” (Chile Ministry of
Foreign Affairs)
Although the Antarctic Treaty limited the validity of Chile’s claim, because this claim resulted
from historical and geographical concerns, it is not completely neglectable. Chile established 4
permanent bases and 7 seasonal bases in Antarctica.
Kingdom of Denmark:
Similar to Canada’s Arctic policy, Denmark also developed a special policy towards the Arctic.
Because Greenland and the Faroe Islands are lying within the Arctic Circle, the Kingdom of Denmark
needed a set rule of law to inspect its territory in the Arctic. The policy aims to maintain a "peaceful,
secure, and safe" arctic with the cooperation from other nations and organizations including the UN. It
emphasizes the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and maritime security in the region.
Norway:
The Northernmost part of Norway lies within the Arctic circle. Three countries, Nordland,
Troms and Finnmark, and the Svalbard archipelago and the island of Jan Mayen, are Norway’s arctic
territory. As a member of the Arctic Council, Norway assisted the scientists from other nations to
engage in Arctic research in the Arctic territories of Norway. The Sami indigenous people live in
Norway’s Arctic territory.
Russia:
The Russian region of the Arctic is the largest among the other Arctic nations. About one-fifth
of Russia’s landmass lies within the Arctic circle. Russia’s policy towards this region aims to utilize the
abundant natural resources, protect ecosystems, and use its sea route as a transportation system. Russia
maintains a military presence in their Arctic territory to protect their interests.
Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR):
Established by the International Committee of Science Union (ICSU), The SCAR lead
countless scientific missions in Antarctica for mankind’s greater understanding of the region. The five
main objects of SCAR lists as follow:
1. To initiate, develop, and coordinate high quality international
scientific research in the Antarctic region, and on the role of the
Antarctic region in the Earth system;
2. To provide objective and independent scientific advice to the
Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings and other organizations
on issues of science and conservation affecting the management
of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
3. To facilitate free and unrestricted access to Antarctic scientific
data and information;
4. To develop scientific capacity in all SCAR Members, especially
with respect to younger scientists, and to promote the
incorporation of Antarctic science in education at all levels;
5. To communicate scientific information about the Antarctic
region to the public. (ICSU)
These objectives are not only consistent with the UNESCO’s aims towards the development
of the region, but also provides a general guideline towards the international cooperation. However, as
mentioned in the intro, there still lacks a complete “global standard” in which all nations can use as a
roadmap.
South Africa:
The South African government has initiated the South African National Antarctic Program
(SANAP) for their research in the Antarctic and the Sub-Antarctic region. 3 South African research
stations in Antarctica are targeted in this program. Scientists in these stations have participated in
SCAR-led research missions.
UK:
The UK adopted a new Arctic policy in 2013. The policy mainly focuses on the rising
temperature in the Arctic due to the global warming. It provides a vision for different cohorts of people,
including the government and the indigenous Arctic population. As a founding member of the Arctic
council, the UK showed leadership in the development of both Arctic and Antarctic region. In fact, the
first permanent base in Antarctica is established by the UK expeditors. The UK also claims a sector of
Antarctica as one of its British Overseas Territories. UK's claim overlaps with Argentina and Chile's
claim. As the Antarctic Treaty dismissed all territorial claims in Antarctica, UK's claim is only
recognized by few nations whom also have claims in the continent.
USA:
The US, also a founding member of the Arctic Council, showed interest in the Arctic region since the
Alaska Purchase. US's Arctic policy lists as
1.
Meeting U.S. national security needs.
2.
Protecting the Arctic environment and conserving its living
resources.
3.
Ensuring environmentally sustainable natural resource
management and economic development in the region.
4.
Strengthening institutions for cooperation among the eight
Arctic nations (the United States, Canada, Denmark, Finland,
Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, and Sweden).
5.
Involving the Arctic’s indigenous communities in decisions that
affect them.
6.
Enhancing scientific monitoring and research on local, regional,
and global environmental issues (state.gov)
The United States assumed the Arctic Council Chairmanship for 2015-2017 after Sweden’s 2-year
chairmanship. US has an organization named “United States Antarctic Program” (USAP) under its
government to manage US logistics regarding Antarctica. The USAP encompasses these scientific
categories as their research areas: astronomy, atmospheric sciences, biology, earth science,
environmental science, geology, glaciology, marine biology, oceanography, and geophysics.
Past Actions
Since the discovery of the two ice lands, there were a plethora of actions taken by the
international community. The world recognized the scientific significance of the two lands and began
to conduct scientific investigations in the regions. The nations within the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic
Circle claimed their territories within the continents. Because these two regions had a plentiful amount
of natural resources including oil and natural gasses, the dispute between the nations continued until
the mutual agreements in the Arctic Council and Antarctic Treaty System. After the treaties, countries
established permanent science research stations in the regions to further explore the regions. NGOs such
as the SCAR assisted the efforts of the global community in the development of the North and South
Poles. The UNESCO sent its funds to the NGOs including the SCAR and published several UNESCO
sponsored magazines with regards to the research processes in both Antarctica and Arctic. UNESCO
also set numerous sites in both Arctic and Antarctica as its "World Heritage" in order to encourage the
world to protect the natural and cultural heritage of Antarctica and Arctic.
Despite these efforts, the global warming destroyed the natural habitat of the two Polar regions.
The sea ice covering the Arctic Ocean has decreased by about 8 %. Antarctica glaciers along the west
coast of the Antarctic Peninsula have retreated 87% over the last 50 years. The continuation of this
disaster will eventually deplete the two regions and severely damage the Earth. To avoid this catastrophe,
the world must cooperate to resolve the issue with a set global standards in developing the two regions
with respect to the environment.
Possible Solutions
Tackling this issue is not facile. Delegates must consider these two aspects of the issue:
Environment and scientific development. A good resolution must consider both the means to reduce
environmental costs to protect the Polar regions and futuristic ideas to further develop and scientifically
investigate the unknown world. The suggested global standard or regulation must consist not only a few
key players on this issue but also how the other nations can benefit from this new standard. Think about
these key questions:
Ø
Why is the UNESCO funding the NGOs related to this issue?
Ø
Why are nations eager to lay territorial claims over the regions?
Ø
How can LEDCs benefit from exploring the North and the South Pole?
Ø
How will the investigation of these regions catalyze the accomplishment of SDGs?
Ø
What kind of effort can the UN and other intergovernmental organizations (such as the Arctic
Council) contribute to the suggested resolution?
These questions will be a guideline to a concrete resolution. Consider both long-term and shortterm possibilities. Short-term solutions may include: establishing a UN-led permanent station in the
region, allocating specific missions to the stations ran by individual nations. Long-term solutions may
be: setting a legislative measure on the implementation of the polar research, selecting a global research
target to induce cooperation. As this issue seeks for an open-ended, future-oriented solution, feel free
to think outside the box and be creative. Again, remember that sustainability and development come
from continuous struggle and effort. With the effort and struggle from every member of the world,
without a doubt, there will be sustainable development.
Resources
Click the hyperlinked phrases in this paper to access the original documents
http://www.scar.org/ -SCAR Homepage
http://www.icsu.org/ - ICSU Homepage
UK Arctic policy
Antarctic Treaty System
Denmark Arctic policy
UNGA Resolution 40/156
Contact
Please contact the below people with any questions.
Marcel Lee – President Chair
[email protected]
Gloria Zhang – Secretary General
[email protected]
Gregory Peebles – MUN Coordinator – U2NESCO
[email protected]
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