A team of U.S. government officials conducted a five-day inspection of foreign research stations and installations in Antarctica from Jan. 16 to Jan. 20, the U.S. Department of State announced Thursday.
According to a media note from the State Department’s Office of the Spokesperson, the inspection team included officials from the U.S. Department of State, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of War. The team, led by the State Department, visited five stations operated by four countries: Australia’s Davis and Law stations, China’s Zhongshan station, India’s Bharati station, and Russia’s Progress station.
Federal officials said the inspections were conducted pursuant to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which requires the continent remain reserved for peaceful purposes and prohibits certain activities, including military uses and mining. The State Department said the inspections reflect the administration’s stated commitment to ensuring compliance with the Antarctic Treaty System and to promoting safe station operations and scientific research.
Thursday’s announcement said this was the 16th inspection of foreign research stations conducted by the United States in Antarctica since 1963.
The U.S. government thanked Australia and New Zealand for logistical assistance during the inspections, along with professionals working at the inspected sites.
“The United States appreciates the logistical assistance provided by the governments of Australia and New Zealand, and by all the professionals at the inspected sites,” the U.S. Department of State’s media note said.
The State Department said it will present a report on the inspections at the next Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, scheduled to take place in Hiroshima, Japan, in May 2026.
Federal officials said the Department of State leads U.S. policy on Antarctica in cooperation with the National Science Foundation, which administers the U.S. Antarctic Program. The announcement also noted that the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command provides support to the program, including military airlift, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, and other logistical services.
