§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Antarctic Environmental Treaty Secretariat to be established; how many signatory states have ratified the Treaty; and if he will make a statement. [86893]
§ Mr. Tony LloydIssues relating to a possible Antarctic Treaty Secretariat were discussed at the recent Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, held in Peru in May. Both Argentina and Australia reiterated their offer to host the Secretariat, but no consensus was reached on either bid. The UK looks forward to a resolution of the matter and will continue constructive dialogue on it with other Treaty Parties.
Forty-four countries have now ratified or acceded to the Antarctic Treaty, 27 of which have Consultative (voting) status; 37 countries have signed the Environmental Protocol to the Treaty; and 28 countries have either ratified or acceded to the Protocol.