CM/Res/988 (XLII) RESOLUTION ON THE QUESTION OF ANTARCTICA
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Forty- second Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 10 to 17 July, 1985,
Bearing in mind the Antarctic Treaty and its relevant provisions which relate to international co-operation,
Recalling the relevant paragraphs of the Declaration of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned countries at their Seventh Conference held at New Delhi from 7 to 12 March 1983, which recognized the considerable environmental, climatic scientific and potential economic significance of the Antarctica to the world,
Taking into account the debate on this item at the Thirty-eighth Session of the United Nations Assembly,
Recalling United Nations General Assembly resolution (38/77) of 15 December, 1983,
Conscious of the need to widen the scope of international co-operation in the Antarctic Area for the benefit of all mankind,
Reaffirming the conviction that, in the interest of all mankind, Antarctica should continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, and that it should not become the scene or object of international discord:
DECLARES Antarctica to be the common heritage of mankind;
CALLS UPON all Member States of the Organization of African Unity to take appropriate steps at the forthcoming Fortieth Session of the United
Nations General Assembly to seek recognition of Antarctica as the common heritage of mankind;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General to monitor developments and report to the Council of Ministers of the OAU at its next Ordinary Session.