New Zealand and Australia’s national interests are commonly served by sustaining the peace and security of the Antarctic continent. Our shared national security interests are best met by an Antarctica that remains free of military competition.
The Antarctic Treaty System has long underpinned our two countries’ joint commitment to a peaceful Antarctic continent. Changes in the international security environment and future global resource pressures potentially present challenges to this system. The next 30 years present critical challenges if Antarctica is to continue to remain free from the consequences of unrestrained international competition.
In August 2019, the Australian Civil-Military Centre, on behalf of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, facilitated the Antarctica 2050: Strategic Challenges and Responses Workshop in Wellington. Representatives from a broad range of government agencies in Australia and New Zealand came together for two days to discuss potential policy, strategic and operational challenges for Antarctica over the next 30 years.