United Arab Emirates “Iceberg Project” – would an ambitious concept comply with international law?

Abstract

In the ongoing climate crisis, more and more states of the world undertake initiatives that
would reduce negative impact of dangerous growth of global average temperature, including
droughts, drowning of coastal cities and water shortage. Recently, an ambitious idea to provide
huge supplies of water for the population of the United Arab Emirates was initiated by one of
Emirati businessmen – Mr Abdulla Alsheni, who plans to tow a huge Antarctic iceberg to the
coast of Emirates. The plan itself is a logistic challenge, but at the same time may raise certain
concerns on its compliance with international law. Hereby article has as an aim response to
a question whether an act of towing an Antarctic iceberg would breach international law
provisions, particularly those related to Antarctic Treaty System and law of the seas.