Antarctic Treaty, 1959
The Antarctic Treaty, signed on the 1 of December 1959 by 12 states, stipulates that Antarctica must only be used for non-military purposes and actively encourages scientific cooperation and investigation within the region. Its ultimate objective is to ensure that Antarctica is preserved and does not become a zone of international conflict. In order to achieve this aim the Treaty explicitly prohibits the construction of military bases, the test-firing of weapons, military operations, nuclear explosions, and nuclear waste disposal in Antarctica. Military personnel and equipment are, however, allowed to be used in the pursuit of scientific research. Additionally, the Treaty stipulates that no state may act to claim, or increase, its existing territorial claims in Antarctica. The Treaty entered into force on June 23 1961 and to date had 53 involved parties. Treaty compliance is currently maintained via regular inspections of by the Consultative Parties and additional measures that are deemed necessary to uphold the principles of the Treaty are discussed at the annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.