A/RES/51/56 Page 2 Recognizing also the designation, in the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty,2 of Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science and the provisions contained in the Protocol regarding the protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems, including for environmental assessment, in the planning and conduct of all activities in Antarctica, Welcoming the continuing cooperation among countries undertaking scientific research activities in Antarctica, which may help to minimize human impacts on the Antarctic environment, Welcoming also the increasing awareness of an interest in Antarctica shown by the international community, and convinced of the advantages to the whole of mankind of a better knowledge of Antarctica, Reaffirming its conviction that, in the interest of all mankind, Antarctica should continue for ever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and that it should not become the scene or object of international discord, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the question of Antarctica3 and the role accorded by the Secretary-General to the United Nations Environment Programme in preparing his report, and also of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, which took place at Seoul from 8 to 19 May 1995 and at Utrecht, the Netherlands, from 29 April to 10 May 1996, respectively; 2. Recalls the statement under chapter 17 of Agenda 21,4 adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, that States carrying out research activities in Antarctica should, as provided for in article III of the Antarctic Treaty, continue: (a) To ensure that data and information resulting from such research are freely available to the international community; (b) To enhance the access of the international scientific community and the specialized agencies of the United Nations system to such data and information, including the encouragement of periodic seminars and symposia; 3. Welcomes the invitations to the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to attend Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings in order to assist such meetings in their substantive work, and urges the parties to continue to extend such invitations for future consultative meetings; 2 International Legal Materials, vol. XXX, No. 6, p. 1461. 3 A/51/390. 4 See Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992 (A/CONF.151/26/Rev.1 (Vol. I and Vol. I/Corr.1, Vol. II, Vol. III and Vol. III/Corr.1)) (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigenda), vol. I: Resolutions Adopted by the Conference, resolution I, annex II, chap. 17, para. 17.105. /...