Antarctic Treaty Convention, 2048

Committee Summary

Topic: Strengthening the Antarctic Treaty System in the Face of Emerging Geopolitical and Environmental Challenges

In a world, 2048, where the Antarctic Treaty System has expired, the race for Antarctica's untapped resources begins. This committee tasks delegates to make recommendations on how to update the current treaty to govern the last unclaimed frontier of the Earth. Representing each distinct country, delegates must navigate a volatile geopolitical landscape while vying for control of the continent’s vast resources.

Antarctica’s unparalleled wealth— minerals, energy sources, and scientific potential— is ripe for exploitation, but the stakes are extraordinarily high. Delegates face the difficult challenge of balancing the peaceful uses of this unclaimed frontier with pressing issues such as environmental protection, tourism, and the regulation of non-governmental activities. They must navigate the integration of new and existing technologies, ensuring sustainable exploration while addressing global concerns about climate change and fragile ecosystems. Simultaneously, policy-based conflicts will emerge over territory allocation, governance structures, and the formation of alliances. The challenge lies in striking a delicate balance between collaboration and competition to shape Antarctica’s future.