The Antarctic Treaty Parties

The Treaty entered into force on 23 June 1961. As of 2024, a total of 58 states have become Parties to the Antarctic Treaty. Of these, seven claim territory in Antarctica (claimants) and 12 are Original Signatories. There are 29 Consultative Parties (i.e. with voting status), comprising the 12 Original Signatories and 17 countries that have demonstrated their interest in Antarctica by carrying out substantial scientific activity there.

The 51 "non-claimant" countries do not recognize the claims of others.

A "Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty" was signed by 42 Parties on 4 October 1991 and entered into force on 14 January 1998. This agreement prevents development and provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment.

Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM) are held annually to administer and manage the region. The 29 Non-Consultative Parties are allowed to attend, but cannot vote on proceedings.

 Country Claimant
State		 Original
Signatory		 Consultative
Party		 Non-Consultative
Party		 Comments
Argentina check check 23 Jun 1961 n/a Signatory
Australia check check 23 Jun 1961 n/a Signatory
Chile check check 23 Jun 1961 n/a Signatory
France check check 16 Sep 1960 n/a Signatory
New Zealand check check 01 Nov 1960 n/a Signatory
Norway check check 24 Aug 1960 n/a Signatory
United Kingdom check check 31 May 1960 n/a Signatory
Belgium n/a check 26 Jul 1960 n/a Signatory
Japan n/a check 04 Aug 1960 n/a Signatory
Russian Federation n/a check 02 Nov 1960 n/a Succeeding state. Following the dissolution of the USSR, which was an original signatory state, Russia assumed the rights and obligations of being a party to the Treaty.
South Africa n/a check 21 Jun 1960 n/a Signatory
United States of America n/a check 18 Aug 1960 n/a Signatory
Brazil n/a n/a 12 Sep 1983 16 May 1975 Acceding state
Bulgaria n/a n/a 25 May 1998 11 Sep 1978 Acceding state
China n/a n/a 07 Oct 1985 08 Jun 1983 Acceding state
Czech Republic n/a n/a 1 Apr 2014 1 Jan 1993 Succession from Czechoslovakia, which acceded on 14 June 1962.
Ecuador n/a n/a 19 Nov 1990 15 Sep 1987 Acceding state
Finland n/a n/a 09 Oct 1989 15 May 1984 Acceding state
Germany n/a n/a 03 Mar 1981 05 Feb 1979 The German Democratic Republic was united with the Federal Republic of Germany on 2 Oct 1990. GDR acceded to the Treaty on 19 Nov 1974 and was recognised as an ATCP1 on 05 Oct 1987.
India n/a n/a 12 Sep 1983 19 Aug 1983 Acceding state
Italy n/a n/a 05 Oct 1987 18 Mar 1981 Acceding state
Netherlands n/a n/a 19 Nov 1990 30 Mar 1967 Acceding state
Peru n/a n/a 09 Oct 1989 10 Apr 1981 Acceding state
Poland n/a n/a 29 Jul 1977 08 Jun 1961 Acceding state
South Korea n/a n/a 09 Oct 1989 28 Nov 1986 Acceding state
Spain n/a n/a 21 Sep 1988 31 Mar 1982 Acceding state
Sweden n/a n/a 21 Sep 1988 24 Apr 1984 Acceding state
Ukraine n/a n/a 4 Jun 2004 28 Oct 1992 Succeeding state. Ukraine succeeded to the Treaty following the dissolution of the USSR.
Uruguay n/a n/a 07 Oct 1985 11 Jan 1980 Acceding state
Austria n/a n/a n/a 25 Aug 1987 Acceding state
Belarus n/a n/a n/a 27 Dec 2006 Acceding state
Canada n/a n/a n/a 04 May 1988 Acceding state
Colombia n/a n/a n/a 31 Jan 1989 Acceding state
Costa Rica n/a n/a n/a 11 Aug 2022 Acceding state
Cuba n/a n/a n/a 16 Aug 1984 Acceding state
Denmark n/a n/a n/a 20 May 1965 Acceding state
Estonia n/a n/a n/a 17 May 2001 Acceding state
Greece n/a n/a n/a 08 Jan 1987 Acceding state
Guatemala n/a n/a n/a 31 Jul 1991 Acceding state
Hungary n/a n/a n/a 27 Jan 1984 Acceding state
Iceland n/a n/a n/a 13 Oct 2015 Acceding state
Kazakhstan n/a n/a n/a 27 Jan 2015 Acceding state
Malaysia n/a n/a n/a 31 Oct 2011 Acceding state
Monaco n/a n/a n/a 31 May 2008 Acceding state
Mongolia n/a n/a n/a 23 Mar 2015 Acceding state
North Korea n/a n/a n/a 21 Jan 1987 Acceding state
Pakistan n/a n/a n/a 1 Mar 2012 Acceding state
Papua New Guinea n/a n/a n/a 16 Mar 1981 Succession from Australia. Effective from their independence on 16 September 1975.
Portugal n/a n/a n/a 29 Jan 2010 Acceding state
Romania n/a n/a n/a 15 Sep 1971 Acceding state
San Marino n/a n/a n/a 14 Feb 2023 Acceding state
Saudi Arabia n/a n/a n/a 22 May 2024 Acceding state
Slovakia n/a n/a n/a 1 Jan 1993 Succession from Czechoslovakia, which acceded on 14 June 1962.
Slovenia n/a n/a n/a 22 Apr 2019 Acceding state
Switzerland n/a n/a n/a 15 Nov 1990 Acceding state
Turkey n/a n/a n/a 24 Jan 1996 Acceding state
United Arab Emirates n/a n/a n/a 11 Dec 2024 Acceding state
Venezuela       24 Mar 1999 Acceding state

1. ATCP = Antarctic Treaty Consultative Party.

Sources: Wikipedia, "Antarctic Treaty System", retrieved 03/22/25. Dodds, Klaus, "In 30 years the Antarctic Treaty becomes modifiable, and the fate of a continent could hang in the balance", published 07/12/18, The Conversation, retrieved 03/22/25.

An additional status update from the U.S. Department of State includes statements about the Treaty from the embassies of various acceding countries, with the most recent action dated 05/22/24.