
TOKYO: Japan will host the 48th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM48) in or around May 2026 in Hiroshima. It will be the first time Japan has hosted the annual meeting since 1994.
Japan is an original signatory and a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty and has taken an active stance on issues concerning Antarctica. It hopes the 2026 meeting will enhance international cooperation in Antarctica.
The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting is an annual meeting of the 29 Consultative Parties actively engaged in scientific research in Antarctica which aims to formulate, discuss, and recommend to the governments of the Consultative Parties ways to promote the objectives of the Antarctic Treaty, including the peaceful use of the Antarctic region.
It also serves to promote scientific research in the region and the protection and conservation of biological resources.