The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) is the annual decision-making forum established under the Antarctic Treaty, where representatives from Consultative Parties and Observers come together to discuss issues related to the governance, science, and environmental protection of Antarctica. It provides a key platform for aligning international efforts in the region.
During the 47th ATCM, held in Milan, Italy, from June 23 to July 03, 2025, Antarctica InSync convened a dedicated side meeting that brought together key representatives from national programs and international partners. The meeting was co-chaired by Jane Francis (Director of the British Antarctic Survey, BAS) and Nicole Biebow (International Cooperation Unit at the Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI)).
This gathering provided an important opportunity to discuss how to strengthen support for the long-term coordination of Antarctic research under the Antarctica InSync framework. It also served to inform participants from various national delegations about the scientific plans currently under development, and to initiate the coordination of collaborative logistics tasks among programs.
Participants emphasized the importance of aligning national scientific priorities, fostering cross-program collaboration, and enhancing mechanisms for data sharing and joint field activities. The side meeting underscored the growing momentum behind Antarctica InSync as a unifying initiative aimed at synchronising research efforts across the Antarctic region—mobilising knowledge and infrastructure to address pressing global challenges.
