-- expanding the common interests is the common development of mankind

July 21^st, 2013 Guiyang News

Eco Forum Global 2013 Antarctic Forum roundtable was held in July 20th. Over 20 experts worldwide made a deep discussion on “Antarctic treaty”, “Antarctic spirit” and “Antarctic enlightenment”. Guests all agreed that in the 21st century mankind should focus on expanding common interests, lasting peace, win-win cooperation and common development.

Concerning the spirits reflected under the background of “Antarctic Treaty”, which was signed in 1959 and shared by all nations for using Antarctic resources together and contributing to the science, vice president of National Innovation and Development Strategy Research Association and academician of European Academy of Sciences Wu Jianmin first stated his point. He said that Antarctica is the last pure land on earth and ecological civilization needs to be completed by all human beings. After more than 60 negotiations, the final signing of “Antarctic Treaty” marks the agreement of human interests above everything. All countries have found a problem-solving and powerful path to protect Antarctica and peaceful development.

Jeffery sachs, special counselor of UN Secretary General Ban, Ki-moon and the director of Earth Research Center of Columbia University, said that Antarctica is the death line of the world. The rise of sea level caused by the melt of glaciers in Antarctica will have serious consequences. Waters in the south of Antarctic continent is the most active one in the world. It’s not just curious to explore Antarctica, but because it’s closely related to the immediate interests of human beings.

There are plentiful natural resources in Antarctica. Driven by “Antarctic Treaty”, Antarctica, which was the most competitive region, now becomes the most suitable cooperation one. That’s the Antarctic spirit reflected in Antarctic Treaty. Counsellor of the state council and former chief economic specialist of Asian Development Bank Tang Min stated that Antarctic spirit is embodied in the concept of peace-priority to freeze all forms of territorial claim on Antarctica. The experience can be applied in the issues of territorial disputes. Concepts like science first, changing commercial competition into cooperation, only considering science, sharing all research results and developing together are all enlightenment to the development of all walks of life.