Emperor penguins in focus as Antarctica talks start in Japan

Greater protections for endangered emperor penguins and how to manage growing tourism are topping the agenda at talks on Antarctica opening in Japan on Tuesday. Officials from the nearly 60 countries that are signatories to the Antarctic Treaty are meeting in Hiroshima for annual discussions on protecting and managing the fragile region. The continent and its abundant wildlife are protected under the 1959 treaty, which designates it as a land of science and peace, while freezing territorial claims. "The discussions taking place here in Hiroshima are especially important at a time when Antarctica is increasingly affected by global challenges such as climate change ," Francisco Berguno, executive secretary of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat, told a news conference Tuesday. Berguno warned the continent "plays a critical role in regulating the Earth's climate and oceans" and urged "long-term thinking, careful management, and international trust." "Decisions taken here help ensure that human activity in Antarctica remains carefully managed, environmentally responsible and scientifically driven," he added. Around 400 government officials and researchers from some 50 countries, including the United States, China, Russia and Ukraine, were toi take part in the meeting, according to Jiji Press. Among the most closely watched issues this year will be the status of emperor penguins, which last month the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared endangered . …