The Antarctic Treaty, signed in Washington on December 1, 1959, guarantees the use of Antarctica exclusively for peaceful purposes, promotes freedom of scientific research and international cooperation for that purpose, as well as the exchange of scientific observations and results, which will be freely available.
Spain acceded to the Antarctic Treaty in 1982 and was admitted as an advisory party in 1988.
The Treaty, together with the Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on the Protection of the Environment, the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCFA) and the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), make up the Antarctic Treaty System.
In accordance with article IX of the Treaty, representatives of the contracting parties shall meet each year to exchange information, consult each other on matters of common interest relating to Antarctica and to formulate, consider and recommend to their Governments measures to promote the principles and objectives of the Treaty. This forum is the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCR).