Published on 12 July 2024 in Client Alerts
The article, entitled ‘The Antarctic mining ban could be in danger’, was published on 27 June 2024. It examines the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which suspended competing territorial claims by the UK, Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand and Norway. Due to the southernmost continent’s rich mineral content, countries such as the US, Russia and China have argued that these seven countries should not be the only ones to have territorial rights in the Antarctic.
With new exploration technology being used by Russia and China in the continent, much attention has turned to how the Antarctic Treaty system is neither universally agreed upon nor comprehensive in what it regulates. Countries have until 2048 to resolve this matter. Professor Volterra provides insights on what models States could rely on to agree upon a multinational treaty that will benefit a number of parties.
For more information, please contact info@volterrafietta.com
On 17 January 2026, the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (the “High Seas Treaty”) will come into force, following the 60th ratification having been deposited on 19 September 2025. Presently, 75 of the 145 signatories have ratified
Learn moreOn 24 July 2025, at a one-day summit in Beijing, European Union (“EU”) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to seek to reset the EU-China trade relationship.
Learn moreOn 24 July 2025, the International Criminal Court (the “ICC”) convicted two former Central African Republic (“CAR”) militia leaders of multiple war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Learn moreIn July 2025, India and the United Kingdom (the “UK”) signed an historic free trade agreement (“FTA”). According to the UK Government, the new FTA marks the “biggest and most economically significant new bilateral FTA” since Brexit.
Learn more