An Australian delegation is in Uruguay for the next two weeks for the 33rd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the 13th meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection.
The delegation will include officials from the Australian Antarctic Division, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as a representative of conservation groups, and a representative of State/Territory governments.
Australia’s key objectives for the meeting include reporting on the Antarctic Treaty inspections carried out in East Antarctica in January; taking forward the outcomes and recommendations from two Antarctic Treaty Meeting of Experts on Implications of Climate Change for Antarctic Management and Governance, and Management of Ship-borne Tourism; and enhancing the protection of the Antarctic environment, including through measures to prevent the introduction of non-native species.
Australia will also be advising the meeting of the decision that Hobart will be the location of the 35th ATCM in 2012.