Joint statement “From Hiroshima to the Southern Ocean: A Shared Vision for a Peaceful and Protected Planet”

Joint Statement, February 11, 2026

To: The Government of Japan, the City of Hiroshima, and the Consultative Parties of the Antarctic Treaty

As the 100-day countdown to the 48th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM48) in Hiroshima begins today, the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) and Friends of the Earth Japan (FoE Japan) wish to express our support for the Government of Japan’s leadership at the ATCM, and acknowledge Hiroshima’s important role as a city that symbolizes the human yearning for peace.

Hiroshima is a crucial voice in the global peace movement. Similarly, Antarctica is the only continent on Earth legally dedicated to peace and science. In a world currently facing disturbances to the rule of law and rising geopolitical tensions, the Antarctic Treaty stands as a beacon of what is possible when nations choose cooperation over conflict.

We believe that true peace in the 21st century is inseparable from our relationship with the natural world. Climate change and the loss of biodiversity are major threats to global stability.

Therefore, we call on the Japanese government and all Treaty Parties to:

1. Protect Antarctic waters: Support the immediate designation of a system of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Southern Ocean. This is not just an ecological necessity; it is a commitment to a rules-based maritime order and the rule of law at sea.

2. Lead on climate: Acknowledge that the rapid melting of Antarctic ice—a direct result of the global climate crisis—threatens the security of coastal communities worldwide, including here in Japan.

3. Strengthen accountability: Ensure the full implementation of the Liability Annex (Annex VI), making those who harm the Antarctic environment responsible for its restoration.

We applaud Japan’s recent accession to and leadership on the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ). Hosting the ATCM in Hiroshima provides a historic opportunity to build resilient Antarctic governance and extend that leadership to the ends of the Earth. Let the “Message from Hiroshima” be one of resilience, science, and the permanent protection of our last great wilderness.

Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) www.ASOC.org

Friends of the Earth Japan (FoE Japan) www.foejapan.org