The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) has been awarded the 2025 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity, receiving €1 million ($1.17 million). The award recognizes ASOC's decades-long efforts in environmental conservation and international diplomacy.
ASOC, founded in 1978, is a network of over 20 environmental organizations with observer status at Antarctic Treaty meetings. The coalition is advocating for new marine protected areas and stronger regulation of tourism, which brings over 120,000 visitors annually.
The prize coincides with the U.N.'s Decade of Action for Cryospheric Science (2025-2034) and the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation. These initiatives highlight the importance of protecting Antarctica for the planet's health and future.