There are 26 Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty. 12 are original signatories. Original Signatories Date of ratification United Kingdom 31 May 1960 South Africa 21 Jun 1960 Belgium 26 Jul 1960 Japan 4 Aug 1960 United States of America 18 Aug 1960 Norway 24 Aug 1960 France 16 Sep 1960 New Zealand 1 Nov 1960 Russia (1) 2 Nov 1960 Argentina 23 Jun 1961 Australia 23 Jun 1961 Chile 23 Jun 1961 Acceding States Date of accession Consultative status Poland 8 Jun 1961 29 Jul 1977 Netherlands 30 Mar 1967 19 Nov 1990 German Democratic Republic (2) 19 Nov 1974 5 Oct 1987 Brazil 16 May 1975 12 Sep 1983 Germany, Federal Republic 5 Feb 1979 3 Mar 1981 Uruguay 11 Jan 1980 7 Oct 1985 Italy 18 Mar 1981 5 Oct 1987 Peru 10 Apr 1981 9 Oct 1989 Spain 31 Mar 1982 21 Sep 1988 China, People's Republic 8 Jun 1983 7 Oct 1985 India 19 Aug 1983 12 Sep 1983 Sweden 24 Apr 1984 21 Sep 1988 Finland 15 May 1984 9 Oct 1989 Republic of Korea 28 Nov 1986 9 Oct 1989 Ecuador 15 Sep 1987 19 Nov 1990 Notes 1. Formerly the Soviet Union, represented by Russia from December 1991. 2. United with the Federal Republic of Germany on 3 October 1990.