During the International Geophysical Year (IGY), 1957/1958, nations involved with the Antarctic agreed to set aside their political and legal differences to carry out scientific research in co-operation. The success of this initiative led to negotiations which culminated in the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959 by the twelve nations which maintained stations there during the IGY: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).

The series consists of papers of the first conference held in Washington from 15 October - 30 November 1959, and includes a printed copy of the Treaty. Each document has a unique alphanumeric control as follows:

DOCUMENT1-DOCUMENT28           Papers presented at the conference

WP1-WP3                        Working papers 1 to 3

DSC1 - DSC14                   Reports of the Drafting Subcommittee

S1 - S2 PART 3                 Reports of the Committee on Style

WSR1 - WSR7                    Committee of the Whole Summary Record

W1                             Report of the Committee of the Whole

IP1 - IP16                     Committee I proposals 1 to 16

ISR1 - ISR11                   Committee I summary records 1 to 11

IIP1 - IIP16                   Committee II proposals 1 to 16

IISR1 - IISR9                  Committee II summary records 1 to 9

Index                          Index

The item numbered IIP6 was tabled then cancelled and so is not extant.