Presentations at the Colloquium

1. Presentations at the Colloquium

2. South African Antarctic and Southern Ocean Strategy

3. CONTENT SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY IN ANTARCTIC ANTARCTICA IN RELATION TO OTHER CONTINENTS CONTINENTAL LEVEL TREATY MEMBERSHIP CURRENT INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT CURRENT INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN ANTARTICA INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - INTERNATIONAL CURRENT SOUTH AFRICAN ENVIRONMENT POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES SAASOS: VISION, OVERARCHING GOALS AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES

4. South African History In Antarctic • South Africa had a stake in sealing activities in the sub-Antarctic as early 19th century, and its involvement in Antarctica dates back to the earliest voyages of discovery, due to the then Cape of Good Hope’s position as a stop-over for explorers, whalers and sealers. • The earliest traceable reference is the proposal for a South African Antarctic Research Expedition in 1919 by Prof. Ernest James Goddard , Stellenbosch University (van der Watt 2012). • South Africa annexed the Prince Edward Islands including Marion Islands (PEIs) in 1947 to 1948 • In 1957 to 1958, South Africa participated in the celebration of the International Geophysical Year , and this set the platform for the country to be a negotiating party of the Antarctic Treaty • South Africa ratified the Antarctic Treaty on 21st June 1960. • South Africa is a non – claimant despite having been encouraged by UK to be . • South Africa undertook its first expedition to Antarctic in January 1960.

5. Research Focus Areas • SAs involvement included the use of Meteorological capabilities to predict weather for agriculture sector and, and military and commercial aviation safe operations in air routes; • Geological Research; • Space Weather; • Oceanography;

7. CONTINENTAL LEVEL TREATY MEMBERSHIP Europe – 24 North America - 2 South America – 8 Asia – 9 (excluding Australia & New Zealand) Africa – 1 (South Africa) Also regional collaborations between Treaty Member Countries in South America and Asia.

8. CURRENT INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT • The international interest in Antarctica is currently rising (Table on next slide – Snapshot Comparison) • Non original Antarctic Treaty countries have increased their bases e.g. China, S. Korea and India; • Building of new polar research vessels by countries undergoing austerity measures e.g. UK and Australia; • Renewal of Antarctic strategies e.g. Australia, Russia and Norway; • Antarctic Treaty Countries were primarily concerned with military security – overlooked resource potential • 21st century - need for energy security and growing competition for finite resources - Countries looking for other reliable energy resources e.g. competition for sovereignty over the oil rich Arctic continental shelf.

10. CURRENT INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN ANTARTICA Australia (1961) • 20 year Antarctic Strategic plan approved (2014) • Continued presence in Antarctica (Australian Antarctic Territory – claim) • Greater influence in Antarctic Treaty System • Capacity to undertake and support relevant science • Role of Tasmania (Head quarters of ADD) as gateway to Antarctic • International engagement and collaboration

11. India (1983) • Research priority: impact of Antarctica and particularly India Ocean sector of Southern Ocean on India climate and severe weather events (monsoon, tsunami, etc.). • Resource poor country – investment in infrastructure for research towards resource exploration (both oceanic and Antarctica) • Completed and commissioned a 2nd Antarctic Station and building a new research ship. Brazil (1961) • Internationally recognised nation for high scientific performance in Antarctica and Southern Ocean. • Implement Environmental processes – conserve Antarctica. • Present, past and future relationship between South America continent and the polar region. • (Antarctic Peninsula – closest to South America shows greatest change due to global warming)

12. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - INTERNATIONAL Other National Antarctic Programmes consolidate (or strive to) their operations/activities into one entity/institute/component e.g. Australia – Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) = Branch Germany – Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) = Institute United Kingdom – British Antarctic Survey (BAS) = Institute Chile – Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) = Institute

13. CURRENT SOUTH AFRICAN ENVIRONMENT No comprehensive National Antarctic Strategy (Economic Interest, Research Interest, Security Interest etc); No National Research Strategy to guide and direct Antarctic Research efforts; Current scientific outputs not on par with other Treaty Countries; Institutional arrangements – role players have different objectives – Lack synergy

14. CURRENT SOUTH AFRICAN ENVIRONMENT South African Programme is – fragmented Key Stakeholders: Department of Environmental Affairs Department of Science and Technology Department of Public Works Department of Defence Department of International Relations and Cooperation Tertiary Institutions National Research Foundation , etc

15. POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES Greater African representivity and therefore greater influence on Antarctic Treaty System (ATS). Gateway status of Cape Town to be enhanced - already contributing to economy of the region. Not benefitting as much as other gateway cities (particularly from Antarctic Tourism) though. Need to understand Antarctica’s potential to provide food, economic and energy security influencing a number of Countries to increase their investments in Antarctica – South Africa in close proximity can capitalise on this. Antarctica – key to the global weather systems, major carbon sink, vast marine resources and great potential for bio-prospecting.

16. POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES • Antarctica is a “resource rich” continent (motivation for some countries to join Treaty) • 70% of world’s fresh water, mineral rich (all minerals of Southern African region represented there) • Large number of patents (Food and pharmaceutical) - registered in various countries as a result of Antarctic Research. • South Africa needs to enhance its presence by attracting other like minded counterparts in Africa.

17. SAASO Strategy Development Process A summary of the strategy formulation process follows:

18. South Africa’s interests in the ASO region Through the SAASOS development process, South Africa’s strategic interests were determined to be : • Secure the Prince Edward Islands sovereignty and the economic opportunities around the PEI, • Secure peace and security, • Promote the protection and conservation of the pristine and wilderness nature of the ASO region, • Pursue reasonable economic benefits permissible within the Antarctic Treaty System, • Leverage the geographic proximity to the Southern Oceans and Antarctic region, • Maintain and improve our scientific excellence.

19. SAASOS: Vision, Overarching Goal and Guiding Principles The Vision was developed through a stakeholder consultation process: “South Africa is a global leader in responsible management of Antarctic and Southern Oceans environment and resources, while actively pursuing the country’s strategic interest”. The Overarching Goal represents a ten-year milestone en route to achieving the Vision. The strategic objectives, outcomes, and actions in the SAASOS are anchored on the Overarching Goal:   “By 2027, South Africa is an influential Party to the Antarctic Treaty System, is globally reputable in science, engineering, technology and innovation, is a respected environmental steward, and has leveraged the proximity to the Antarctic and Southern Oceans region, including being a leading Gateway and supplier of logistic support services to those traveling to the Antarctic and Southern Oceans region”.

20. SAASOS: Vision, Overarching Goal and Guiding Principles Theguiding principles for the SAASOS are: • Environmental sustainability, integrity, and stewardship. • Excellence in science, technology and innovation. • Responsible pursuance of social and economic goals. • Peace and security. • Embrace our international commitments. • There is a shared commitment to drive and implement SAASOS.

21. SAASOS: Core Objectives and Cross – Cutting Interventions SAASOS Objectives relate to the fulfillment of the Overarching Goal. The South African Antarctic and Southern Oceans Strategy is underpinned by 4 core objectives (CO), namely: • Globally competitive science drives generation of new knowledge, development of innovative technologies, educational opportunities and economic development, • South Africa’s Environmental Stewardship in the ASO region is recognised and valued, nationally and globally, • Economic contribution of the ASO region enhances value for its contribution to national development, and • South Africa’s international and geopolitical alliances on ASO are strong and value adding to the country’s objectives.

22. SAASOS: Core Objectives and Cross – Cutting Interventions The South African Antarctic and Southern Oceans Strategy is underpinned by 5 cross-cutting interventions, namely • CCO 1: Financial resources and investments are mobilised for the implementation of SAASOS, • CCO 2: Institutional capacity, effective intergovernmental coordination and the regulatory framework for the implementation of SAASOS are enhanced, • CCO 3: Build and promote an ASO Brand, • CCO 4: Strengthen good governance to ensure accountability in the roll out of SAASOS, • CCO 5: Human resource and skills are developed and capacitated to support the ASO activities and SAASOS actions.