Question of Antarctica

The General Assembly,

Having considered the item entitled "Question of Antarctica",

Recalling its resolutions 38/77 of 15 December 1983, 39/152 of 17 December 1984, 40/156 A and B of 16 December 1985, 41/88 A and B of 4 December 1986 and 42/46 A and B of 30 November 1987,

Recalling also the relevant paragraphs of the Political Declaration adopted by the Eighth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at Harare from 1 to 6 September 1986, and the resolution on Antarctica adopted by the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at its forty-second ordinary session, held at Addis Ababa from 10 to 17 July 1985, as well as the decision of the Council of Ministers of the League of Arab States meeting at Tunis on 17 and 18 September 1986 and resolution 25/5-P(IS) adopted by the Fifth Islamic Summit Conference of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, held at Kuwait from 26 to 29 January 1987,

Taking into account the debates on this item held since its thirty-eighth session,

Welcoming the increasing awareness of and interest in Antarctica shown by the international community,

Convinced of the advantages to the whole of mankind of a better knowledge of Antarctica,

Affirming its conviction that, in the interest of all mankind, Antarctica should continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and that it should not become the scene or object of international discord,

Reaffirming the principle that the international community is entitled to information covering all aspects of Antarctica and that the United Nations should be made the repository for all such information in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 41/88 A and 42/46 B,

Conscious of the particular significance of Antarctica to the international community in terms, inter alia, of international peace and security, environment, its effects on global climatic conditions, economy and scientific research,

Taking into account all aspects pertaining to all areas covered by the Antarctic Treaty system,

Noting with appreciation the reports of the Secretary-General on the question of Antarctica,

Reaffirming that the management, exploration, exploitation and use of Antarctica should be conducted in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and of promoting international co-operation for the benefit of mankind as a whole,

l. Expresses its conviction that any minerals regime on Antarctica, in order to be of benefit to all mankind, should be negotiated with the full participation of all members of the international community;

2.         Further expresses its deep regret that the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties have proceeded with negotiations and adopted on 2 June 1988 a Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities, notwithstanding General Assembly resolutions 41/88 B and 42/46 B, calling for the imposition of a moratorium on negotiations to establish a minerals regime until such time as all members of the international community can fully participate in such negotiations;

3.         Reiterates its call upon the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties to invite the Secretary-General or his representative to all meetings of the Treaty parties, including their consultative meetings;

4.         Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on his evaluations thereon to the General Assembly at its forty-fourth session;

5.         Urges all States Members of the United Nations to co-operate with the Secretary-General and to continue consultations on all aspects relating to Antarctica;

6.         Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-fourth session the item entitled "Question of Antarctica".

B

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 42/46 A of 30 November 1987,

Having considered the item entitled "Question of Antarctica",

Noting with regret that the racist apartheid regime of South Africa, which has been suspended from participation in the General Assembly of the United Nations, has continued to participate in the meetings of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties,

Recalling the resolution on Antarctica adopted by the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at its forty-second ordinary session, held at Addis Ababa from 10 to 17 July 1985,

Recalling also the relevant paragraphs of the Political Declaration adopted by the Eighth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at Harare from 1 to 6 September 1986,

Recalling further that the Antarctic Treaty is, by its terms, intended to further the purposes and principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations,

Noting further that the policy of apartheid practised by the racist minority regime of South Africa, which has been universally condemned, constitutes a threat to regional and international peace and security,

1.         Views with concern the continuing participation of the apartheid regime of South Africa in the meetings of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties;

2.         Appeals once again to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties to take urgent measures to exclude the racist apartheid regime of South Africa from participation in the meetings of the Consultative Parties at the earliest possible date;

3.         Invites the States parties to the Antarctic Treaty to inform the Secretary-General on the actions taken regarding the provisions of the present resolution;

4.         Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report in this regard to the General Assembly at its forty-fourth session;

5.         Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-fourth session the item entitled "Question of Antarctica"..