Planet Money · Wednesday, August 26, 2026
The Antarctic Treaty system, signed by 46 countries, reserves the continent for peaceful purposes and scientific research, prohibiting military bases and mining. Enforcement relies heavily on trust and willingness to collaborate among member nations.
“Countries around the world have agreed not to have a massive land grab, and to actually collectively look at how they can manage various operations that have been undertaken down there.”
“It relies very much on trust. It relies on that willingness to collaborate. It relies on having respect for the other partners who are in there.”
“It is my understanding that the treaty says that Antarctica is reserved for peaceful purposes and scientific research.”