The 31st Session of the International Seabed Authority
| Part I | |
| Legal and Technical Commission | 23 February – 6 March 2026 |
| Council | 9 – 19 March 2026 |
| Part II | |
| Legal and Technical Commission | 29 June – 10 July 2026 |
| Finance Committee | 7 – 10 July 2026 |
| Council | 13 – 24 July 2026 |
| Assembly | 27 – 31 July 2026 |
ISBA/31/A/L.1
Provisional agenda of the Assembly
ISBA/31/A/L.1/Rev.1
Provisional agenda of the Assembly
ISBA/31/A/INF/1 – ISBA/31/A/INF/16
ISBA/31/A/2
Report of the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority under article 166, paragraph 4, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Advance Unedited Version)
ISBA/31/A/3
Implementation of the action plan of the International Seabed Authority in support of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
ISBA/31/A/4-ISBA/31/C/22
Proposed budget for the International Seabed Authority for the financial period 2027–2028 (Advanced Unedited Version)
ISBA/31/A/7
Guidelines for observer status of contractors with the International Seabed Authority
ISBA/31/C/CRP.6
Draft decision of the Council on the Election mechanisms of the members of the Economic Planning Commission
ISBA/31/C/INF/1/Rev.1
List of Delegations
ISBA/31/C/L.1
Provisional agenda of the Council
ISBA/31/C/L.2
Draft decision of the Council of the International Seabed Authority relating to an application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between Interoceanmetal Joint Organization and the International Seabed Authority
ISBA/31/C/L.3
Draft decision of the Council of the International Seabed Authority relating to an application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between JSC Yuzhmorgeologiya and the International Seabed Authority
ISBA/31/C/L.4
Draft decision of the Council of the International Seabed Authority relating to an application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the International Seabed Authority
ISBA/31/C/L.5
Draft decision of the Council of the International Seabed Authority relating to an application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association and the International Seabed Authority
ISBA/31/C/L.7
Draft decision of the Council of the International Seabed Authority relating to an application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between the Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer and the International Seabed Authority
ISBA/31/C/L.6
Draft decision of the Council relating to an application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between Deep Ocean Resources Development Co. Ltd. and the International Seabed Authority
ISBA/31/C/1
Agenda of the Council
ISBA/31/C/2
Potential implications and opportunities for the work of the International Seabed Authority of the operation of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction
ISBA/31/C/3
Status of contracts for exploration and related matters, including information on the periodic review of the implementation of approved plans of work for exploration
ISBA/31/C/2/Rev.1
Potential implications and opportunities for the work of the International Seabed Authority of the operation of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction
ISBA/31/C/4
Report of the Chair of the Legal and Technical Commission on the work of the Commission at the first part of its thirty-first session
ISBA/31/C/4/Add.1
Report of the Legal and Technical Commission on the implementation of the Council’s decision relating to a request of additional information from contractors at risk of non-compliance with their contractual obligations
ISBA/31/C/5
Application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between Interoceanmetal Joint Organization and the International Seabed Authority
ISBA/31/C/6
Application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between JSC Yuzhmorgeologiya and the International Seabed Authority
ISBA/31/C/7
Application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the International Seabed Authority
ISBA/31/C/8
Application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association and the International Seabed Authority
ISBA/31/C/9
Application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between Deep Ocean Resources Development Co. Ltd. and the International Seabed Authority
ISBA/31/C/10
Application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between the Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer and the International Seabed Authority
ISBA/31/C/11
Election mechanisms of the members of the Economic Planning Commission
ISBA/31/C/12
Decision of the Council of the International Seabed Authority relating to an application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between Interoceanmetal Joint Organization and the Authority
ISBA/31/C/13
Decision of the Council of the International Seabed Authority relating to an application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between JSC Yuzhmorgeologiya and the Authority
ISBA/31/C/14
Decision of the Council of the International Seabed Authority relating to an application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Authority
ISBA/31/C/15
Decision of the Council of the International Seabed Authority relating to an application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association and the Authority (Advance Unedited Version)
ISBA/31/C/16
Decision of the Council relating to an application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between Deep Ocean Resources Development Co. Ltd. and the Authority (Advance Unedited Version)
ISBA/31/C/17
Decision of the Council of the International Seabed Authority relating to an application for extension of the contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules between the Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer and the Authority (Advance Unedited Version)
ISBA/31/C/18
Decision of the Council relating to the report of the Legal and Technical Commission on the implementation of the Council’s decision relating to a request of additional information from contractors at risk of non-compliance with their contractual obligations (ISBA/30/C/19) (Advance Unedited Version)
ISBA/31/C/19
Statement of the President on the work of the Council of the International Seabed Authority during the first part of the thirty-first session
ISBA/31/C/19/Rev.1
Statement of the President on the work of the Council of the International Seabed Authority during the first part of the thirty-first session (Advanced Unedited Version)
ISBA/31/C/20
Election to fill a vacancy on the Legal and Technical Commission in accordance with article 163, paragraph 7, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
ISBA/31/C/22 – ISBA/31/A/4
Proposed budget for the International Seabed Authority for the financial period 2027–2028 (Advanced Unedited Version)
ISBA/31/FC/L.1
Provisional agenda
ISBA/31/FC/2
New members of the Authority
ISBA/31/FC/4
Standards of accommodation for air travel
ISBA/31/FC/5
Report on the process and criteria for the implementation of article 184 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
ISBA/31/FC/6
Financial implications of establishing the Economic Planning Commission (Advance Unedited Version)
ISBA/31/LTC/1
Agenda of the Legal and Technical Commission
ISBA/31/LTC/2
Application for approval of a plan of work for exploration for polymetallic nodules by Impossible Metals Bahrain W.L.L.
ISBA/31/LTC/3/Rev.1
Applications for the extension of approved plans of work for exploration pursuant to section 1, paragraph 9, of the annex to the Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982
ISBA/31/LTC/3/Rev.1/ Add.1
Applications for the extension of approved plans of work for exploration pursuant to section 1, paragraph 9, of the annex to the Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 (Advance Unedited Version)
ISBA/31/LTC/4
Election mechanisms for members of the Economic Planning Commission
ISBA/31/LTC/5
Selection of candidates for training programmes under plans of work for exploration
ISBA/31/LTC/6
Relinquishment of one-third of the area allocated to the Government of the Republic of Korea under the contract for exploration for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts signed with the International Seabed Authority
ISBA/31/LTC/7
Relinquishment of 75 per cent of the area allocated to the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources under the contract for exploration for polymetallic sulphides signed with the International Seabed Authority
Media Attendance
- In-person participation is encouraged for accredited media
- Virtual access will be available via live stream on the ISA Web TV
Media accreditation
- Journalists wishing to attend the Council Meeting in person must apply for media accreditation using this form by 17:00 hrs (Jamaica time) on 22 June 2026.
- Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received.
- Late applications will not be accepted.
- Once accredited, journalists must collect their ISA entry and media passes upon arrival and display them at all times within the venue.
Media Access Guidelines
The meetings of the Assembly and the Council will be streamed live on the Web TV of the Authority in all six languages of the Authority.
The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) welcomes delegates of the members of the Authority as well as the observers to Kingston for the meetings of Part I of the 31st session of the Authority (9 March – 20 March 2026), which will take place at the Jamaica Conference Centre.
Please find practical information below to make your conference stay in Kingston a success.
Daily Journal – Council, Part I
Important Texts and Publications
| Publication | English | French | Spanish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Delegates Handbook | EN | FR | ES |
 |
Consolidation of Part XI of the Convention and the Implementation Agreement | EN | ||
 |
Selected decisions and documents of 30th session | EN | FR | ES |
 |
Consolidated regulations and recommendations on prospecting and exploration | EN | FR | ES |
 |
International Seabed Authority: Basic Texts | EN | FR | ES |
Conference WIFI Accessibility Information
Network identity: SEABED31
Password: I$A2026!
Special Rates for Accommodations
The Secretariat of the ISA has secured special accommodation rates for delegates and media at a number of hotels in Kingston.
Please follow the booking link to secure the offered rate below.
| Hotel | Council Group Rates | Legal Group Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Jamaica Pegasus Hotel | Book Now | Book Now |
| Courtleigh Hotel & Suites | Book Now | Book Now |
Session Lunch Menu
Transportation Schedule
Legal and Technical Commission (23rd Feb – 6th March)
23rd Feb – Bus will depart the Courtleigh Hotel at 8:30am
24th Feb – 6th March: Bus will depart Courtleigh Hotel at 9am
Council (9th – 19th March)
9th March – Bus will depart the Pegasus Hotel at 8:30am
10th – 19th March – Bus will depart at 9:15am
Discover Jamaica
Jamaica Cultural Tours, together with the ISA Secretariat, have specially curated a number of tours for delegations, observers, and the media to enjoy while in Jamaica during LTC and Council sessions. Please check out the tour options here: ISA Weekend Tours
Monday, July 13
Council (346th meeting)
• Item 1: Resumption of the session.
• Item 6: Election to fill a vacancy on the Legal and Technical Commission (Namibia).
• Item 21: Other matters.
− Consideration of a third part of the thirty-first session.
• Item 11: Consideration, with a view to adoption, of the draft regulations on exploitation of mineral
resources in the Area.
− Presentation of the Rev. 3 of the Further Revised Consolidated Text of the draft regulations on
exploitation of mineral resources in the Area.
− Presentation of the revised indicative list of outstanding issues and examination by the
Council.
− Regulatory. Chief Inspector, Inspectors and Inspections. Draft regulations 97bis-101
(continuation from 1st part of 31st session).
Date/Time: Monday, July 13, 2026 10:00 - 13:00 EST
Location: Conference Room 1
Type: Plenary
Documents:
LTC side event #1
Dialogue hosted by the Legal and Technical Commission: REMPs.
Date/Time: Monday, July 13, 2026 13:45 - 15:00 EST
Location: Delegates Dining Room
Type: Side Event
Council (347th meeting)
• Item 11: Negotiations on the Further Revised Consolidated Text.
− Regulatory. Chief Inspector, Inspectors and Inspections. Draft regulations 97bis-101
(continuation from 1st part of 31st session).
Date/Time: Monday, July 13, 2026 15:00 - 18:00 EST
Location: Conference Room 1
Type: Plenary
Documents:
Tuesday, July 14
LTC side event #2
Dialogue hosted by the Legal and Technical Commission: Development of environmental threshold values.
Date/Time: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 08:45 - 10:00 EST
Location: Delegates Dining Room
Type: Side Event
Council (348th meeting)
• Item 13: Report of the Chair of the Legal and Technical Commission on the work of the Commission during the second part of its thirty-first session.
Date/Time: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 10:00 - 13:00 EST
Location: Conference Room 4
Type: Plenary
Documents:
Council (349th meeting)
• Item 11: Negotiations on the Further Revised Consolidated Text.
− Annexes.
Date/Time: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 15:00 - 18:00 EST
Location: Conference Room 4
Type: Plenary
Documents:
Wednesday, July 15
Council (350th meeting)
• Item 11: Negotiations on the Further Revised Consolidated Text.
− Annexes.
− Regulatory. Review of These Regulations (Friends of the President, Belgium), draft
regulation 107 – 1 hour.
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 10:00 - 13:00 EST
Location: Conference Room 1
Type: Plenary
Documents:
Council (351st meeting)
• Item 11: Negotiations on the Further Revised Consolidated Text.
− Environmental. Protection of Submarine Cables (Friends of the President, Singapore),
draft regulations 31 and 31 bis – 1.5 hours.
− Regulatory. Seabed Mining Register (Friends of the President, India), draft regulations 92 –
1.5 hours.
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 15:00 - 18:00 EST
Location: Conference Room 4
Type: Plenary