Alexandria, Egypt (20 – 25 September 2026) – After a week of training, 21 participants from 12 African and Asian countries (Cameroon, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Somalia, Tanzania, and Yemen) completed a session on the Scientific and Technical Aspects related to Regional Environmental Management Plan (REMPs) in the Area, with a focus on the Indian Ocean on Friday, 25 September.
The training, in the historic port city of Alexandria, was the second one organized by the International Seabed Authority through its ISA-Egypt Joint Training and Research Centre (JTRC), in collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF) of Egypt.
Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs) are an essential element of the strategy of ISA to ensure the protection of the marine environment. ISA has established and implemented the plan for the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) and is in the process of developing REMPs for the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Northwest Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Currently, ISA´s Legal and Technical Commission is developing a standardized procedure for the development, establishment and review of REMPs in the Area.
The REMP for the CCZ includes the designation of a network of nine “Areas of Particular Environmental Interest” (APEIs). APEIs are designed to protect biodiversity and ecosystem structure and function across the region and are protected from future exploitation of mineral resources.
From 20 to 25 September 2026, the participants attended lectures facilitated by members of ISA’s Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) and by an expert from Duke University and also watched recorded presentations from representatives of the Ministry of Earth Science of India, the Second Institute of Oceanography in China and from the ISA Secretariat.
The training took place at NIOF headquarters in response to requests from ISA Member States for training on REMPs for individuals from developing countries. It formed part of the capacity development activities approved by the ISA Partnership Fund in December 2025.
Participants were able to strengthen their capacities to contribute to the development, implementation and review of REMPs, while fostering cooperation towards a future REMP for the Indian Ocean, and its implementation and review.
Madam Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, Leticia Carvalho, delivered her opening remarks online, recalling that in July 2025, the ISA Council adopted a standardized procedure for REMPs, now being used to prepare a REMP proposal for the North-West Pacific that is currently under public consultation.
According to Madam Secretary-General, the Indian Ocean is the next important part of the work with the LTC planning to complete its work by 2027.
During her remarks, the President of NIOF, Professor Abeer Moneer, explained that the training programme happened during a particularly important time, providing “an opportunity to strengthen the scientific and technical capabilities required to contribute effectively to the development, implementation, and review of Regional Environmental Management Plans, while promoting a common understanding of the scientific concepts, best available techniques, and data sources that underpin REMP processes.“
Professor Moneer highlighted Alexandria´s long history of marine science and international scientific cooperation, providing “an appropriate setting for bringing together experts and young researchers to discuss some of the most important challenges facing the sustainable management and protection of our oceans.”
Highlighting the center’s pivotal role in regional capacity building, Prof. Amr Hamouda, Director of the ISA-Egypt JTRC, stated:
“The success of this training session reflects our firm commitment at the ISA-Egypt JTRC to empowering developing nations across Africa and Asia with the advanced scientific and technical skills needed to safeguard our shared marine environment. By bringing together early-career scientists and experts to collaborate on marine spatial planning for the Indian Ocean, we are actively fulfilling our mission to build local capacity, drive regional cooperation, and support sustainable ocean governance under the framework of the International Seabed Authority.”
The programme in Alexandria covered the scientific concepts and methodologies behind REMPs, case studies from other regions, and detailed characterization of the Indian Ocean.
Experts also walked participants through the process leading to the design of Areas of Particular Environmental Interests (APEIs). The trainees were able to engage in practical exercises where they applied various APEI network criteria to strengthen marine spatial planning in different areas, while sharing about their national experiences in the field and learning from each other.
Participants left Egypt with updated knowledge of progress on the Indian Ocean REMP and of the opportunities to contribute to it. The next Indian Ocean REMP workshop is expected to be held in Mauritius in April 2027. A public consultation will be launched once the draft REMP is released.
About ISA
The International Seabed Authority is an autonomous intergovernmental organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to organize, regulate and control activities in the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for the benefit of humankind as a whole. ISA is committed to ensuring that all activities in the deep seabed are carried out responsibly, using the best available scientific evidence and in accordance with the principle of the common heritage of humankind.
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