I am pleased to share this important report on the role of ISA in implementing the objectives of the Agreement under UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (2023 Agreement).

The 2023 Agreement is a significant achievement in our global endeavour to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity. It introduces new measures for sharing the benefits from the use of marine genetic resources, as well as processes for establishing area-based management
tools, standards for conducting environmental impact assessments, and a suite of tools to promote capacity building and technology transfer. In so doing, the Agreement builds on a substantial corpus of existing international law and practice, administered through a wide range of international organizations, bodies and processes. As States consider ratifying the 2023 Agreement it will be important to consider carefully how these diverse organizations, bodies and processes can best contribute to the effective implementation of the Agreement.

The present report is a first contribution to that process and analyses how the provisions of the 2023 Agreement align with the ISA’s mandate and activities and what are likely to be some of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Mr. Michael W. Lodge
Secretary-General, ISA