Antarctica – The Game of Great Powers’ Geopolitical Strategies

Abstract

Antarctica is a unique and valuable continent. The international community, through the Antarctic Treaty, is interested in providing efficient administration and achieving rational management of ecosystems. One of the countries located closest to Antarctica is New Zealand. This country is interested in the prevention of any conflicts caused by claims on this continent. Since the end of the Cold War and especially at the beginning of the 21st century, this country has been interested in maintaining this continent as an important gateway used for sustainable development. While the whole world is in a state of transition, and considering that Antarctica is a continent 30% larger than Europe and 50% larger than Australia, it is a true “scientific lab” for the entire world and it contains a significant part of earth's ice cap, playing a decisive role in the provision of world's climate balance, the international community establishing a set of provisions in the Antarctic Treaty System, implementing practical conditions for efficient administration and rational management of Antarctica and its dependent and associated ecosystems. (Stuart Prior, 1997).