Exploring Antarctica together.

Antarctica is the only continent on Earth that is state-free; there are no national borders, no governments, and no parliaments. Its use has been regulated by the Antarctic Treaty since 1961. The signatory nations meet once a year and jointly make decisions. The contract stipulates exclusively peaceful use for the benefit of humankind; research or eco-friendly tourism are permitted, military exercises or the mining of mineral resources are prohibited. Today, research is carried out at more than 40 stations in the Antarctic that are manned year round, including Neumayer Station III, which is operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute. The intensive research work of the past few years has shown, among other things, the central role that Antarctica plays in regulating the global climate. The Antarctic Treaty is therefore a tried and tested tool for environmental protection and a decisive factor in mitigating the climate crisis. It helps protect a unique ecosystem and preserve it for future generations.

Image: AWI/Esther Horvath