FAR in the Southern Connections: Antarctica and Pacific, navigating from heritage to climate resilience

On the occasion of L’Astrolabe’s final Antarctic rotation of the season, the 35th anniversary of the Madrid Protocol, Australia's leadership on pre-COP event in the Pacific, the 400 years of naval heritage, AFRAN and the Embassy of France partner again to organise the FAR (French-Australian Research) series of event.

Antarctic cooperation is a central pillar of the France-Australia bilateral roadmap. Both countries share a strong legacy in Antarctic governance. This shared legacy resonates with current developments in global ocean governance, including the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ), which strengthens the broader architecture governing the ocean as a global common. France and Australia share a strong geographical presence in the Southern regions, with adjacent territories and maritime zones spanning Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. This proximity creates natural opportunities for expanded scientific research, environmental cooperation, and the coordinated governance of fragile polar and subpolar ecosystems. This scientific diplomacy will serve as a…