50 YEARS SINCE BRAZIL'S ADHESION TO THE ANTARCTIC TREATY Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR)

Abstract

Dear readers, it is with great respect and joy that I address each of you.

July 11, 2025, marks 50 (fifty) years since Brazil joined the Antarctic Treaty of December 1, 1959, which regulates international relations in relation to Antarctica, the only continent on Earth without a native human population. The date coincides with the promulgation of Decree No. 75,963 of July 11, 1975, which promulgates the Antarctic Treaty. The Antarctic Treaty can be considered the first Arms Control Agreement established during the Cold War (1947-1991) (a term first attributed to the period in 1945 by British writer George Orwell -1903-1950), designating the Antarctic Continent as a Scientific Reserve, establishing freedom of Scientific Research and prohibiting any military activity.

It should be said that the main Treaty was opened for signature on 12/11/1959 and officially came into force on 06/23/1961. The original Signatory Countries were the 12 (twelve) Countries active in Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-1958, namely: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Soviet Union (Russia), South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These Countries established Research Stations and the subsequent promulgation of the Treaty was seen as a major expression of Diplomacy, Operational and Scientific Cooperation that had been achieved, embodying true Multilateralism among Nations for the purpose of carrying out Scientific Research. As provided for in Article IX, item 2, of the Antarctic Treaty, each Contracting Party that has become a Member of this Treaty by Accession, in accordance with Article XIII, shall be entitled to designate Representatives to attend the Meetings referred to in Paragraph 1 of the aforementioned Article, for as long as the said Contracting Party demonstrates its interest in Antarctica by promoting substantial Scientific Research activity there, such as the establishment of a Scientific Station or the sending of a Scientific Expedition. Upon accession to the Antarctic Treaty, Brazil carried out, among others, 4 (four) successive movements: a) the then Corvette Captain Luiz Antônio de Carvalho Ferraz (1940-1982), Officer of the Brazilian Navy (MB), embarked on the British Antarctic Expedition, from December 1975 to March 1976, aboard the Research Vessel RRS (Royal Research Ship) Bransfield of the British Navy, with Ferraz being considered the first Brazilian on an official Mission to set foot in Antarctica, after accession to the Treaty; b) approved the Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR) through Decree No. 86,830, of 01/12/1982, which assigns the Interministerial Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM) the preparation of the Brazilian Antarctic Program Project (PROANTAR), which is a Program of the Brazilian Navy (MB) that has a presence on the Antarctic Continent and coordinates Research and Operational Support for Research in the Region; c) the first official Brazilian Expedition to Antarctica took place in 1982, with the Oceanographic Vessel Professor Wladimir Besnard and the Support Vessel Barão de Teffé, marking Brazil's presence on the icy Continent, with the objective of carrying out Scientific Research; and, d) on 02/06/1984, the Comandante Ferraz Station was inaugurated, named in honor of the aforementioned Navy officer. It should be said that from a Geopolitical and International Law perspective, Brazil is among the 10 (ten) largest economies in the world, being one of the Emerging Poles at an international level, as an important actor in the so-called Global South and one of the 29 Countries that have Scientific Bases in the Antarctic Continent, of interest to humanity, the subject of this Book, on the jubilee of the 50 (fifty) years of Brazil's Accession to the Antarctic Treaty of 1959.

Brasília (DF), June 2025.

Prof. MSc. René Dellagnezze