Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of US-NZ Antarctic Cooperation

I’m delighted to join Ambassador Ferguson, Under Secretary Dobriansky, Paul Hargreaves, and Arden Bement, as well as others here this evening in commemorating a half-century of U.S.-New Zealand cooperation in Antarctica.

As some of you may know, we had our first commemoration of our work together on site at Scott Base in January. It was an honor for me to represent the United States at that ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Clark and, of course, one of the world’s foremost explorers, Sir Edmund Hillary.

At the ceremony, I marveled at the fact that a cold, forbidding place like Antarctica had truly brought out the best in people. It had also brought out the best in many countries around the world, and our two countries in particular.

Just to give you an idea of what I mean, through the Antarctic Treaty, we agreed:

• Not to recognize territorial claims
• To use the territory for peaceful purposes only; and
• To allow free access for scientific research

What other part of the world can we say that about?

New Zealand and the United States, through our cooperation on scientific research and protecting the Antarctic environment, have held firmly to these principles for fifty years.

First, on science.

I was fortunate to observe firsthand the breadth and depth of ongoing scientific collaboration between scientists located just a few miles apart at McMurdo and Scott.

One of the most exciting projects they are collaborating on is the Andrill, or Antarctic Geological Drilling program, which helps us understand Antarctica geologically, going back some 17 million years, by drilling and recovering samples from the seafloor below the Antarctic ice shelf and sea ice.

The data recovered from this effort will be used to understand not only the patterns of warming and cooling in Antarctic itself, but also to predict how the Antarctic might react to future warming. This information in turn can help us not only to protect the marine environment, but also to predict the global impact of climate change.

This is an example of truly groundbreaking science. There are many more, including projects that will eventually help us close the hole in the ozone layer and protect penguin populations and the unique dry valleys of Antarctica.

Second, our work to protect the environment.

Our two countries collaborate closely in shaping key policies of the Antarctic Treaty System. For example, at the recently concluded Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in New Delhi, New Zealand strongly supported a U.S. initiative to discourage tour operators using vessels carrying more than 500 passengers from making any landings in Antarctica. This is only a part of the work we do together to protect this special place.

Most significant though, is that our fifty-year partnership in Antarctica on science and policy is really but one example of the broader and deeper friendship that the U.S. and New Zealand have shared for much longer.

It is an important example because of the benefits it has brought and will continue to bring to all of mankind.

I said during my January visit that, following the example set by Sir Edmund Hillary, I would come back and share with others the stories of the incredible work that I saw in Antarctica – the fruits of U.S.-New Zealand cooperation that is so important to the future of the planet. I have done so at every opportunity and am grateful for the chance to do so again tonight.