ABSTRACT
The politics of Antarctica have centered on making the System function and on addressing disputes arising out of human activities in the region. In the 1960s and 1970s, decolonization accelerated, and the developing states of the Third World began demanding changes in the structure of intenational society. In the Secretary-General's report, there is little that is new to a student of Antarctica. It addresses the geophysical position of the continent, the rival claims of sovereignty and the Antarctic Treaty itself. Most of it, though, is given over to statements by several countries on their policy toward Antarctica. Of far greater importance was the resolution passed the following year during the 40th session of the UN in 1985. Divided into three parts, it is the most comprehensive statement that the UN has made on Antarctica to date. Section A calls for the Secretary-General to update and expand the 1984 study and puts the question on the agenda for the 41st session.
