site.bta48th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting Opens in Hiroshima

The 48th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 48) opened in Hiroshima on Tuesday. Japan’s foreign and environment ministers and the city’s mayor inaugurated the event, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The forum will continue through May 21, 2026. 

The Bulgarian delegation includes representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute. As a full consultative member of the Antarctic Treaty since 1998, Bulgaria participates in discussions and decision-making on international legal issues, environmental protection, scientific research, and tourism activities in Antarctica.

During the meeting, delegates are also expected to review applications by Canada, Belarus and Turkiye for consultative status under the treaty.

The forum brings together representatives of the 58 states party to the Antarctic Treaty, 29 of which hold consultative status and participate in decision-making within the meeting framework.