New strategic partnership between the ISA Secretariat and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries to strengthen the knowledge, capacity of developing countries and women’s empowerment in deep-sea activities and the protection of the marine environment formalized

New Delhi, 31 January 2023 – The Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge and the Director General of the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), Dr. Sachin Chaturvedi, signed a letter of cooperation during a ceremony held at the Office of RIS in New Delhi yesterday. The letter of cooperation formalizes a new strategic partnership to facilitate joint activities between the two organizations. These will be implemented at the national, regional and international level to support the priorities of interested developing States to foster their blue economy and contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda.

The ISA Secretariat and the National Maritime Foundation of India sign a letter of cooperation in support of joint activities for the development of a sustainable blue economy

New Delhi, 30 January 2023 – The Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge and the Director General of the National Maritime Foundation of India (NMF), Vice Admiral Pradeep Chauhan, signed a letter of cooperation during a ceremony held at the Office of the Indian Navy in New Delhi today. The letter of cooperation formalizes a new strategic partnership aimed at promoting inclusive policy dialogue among stakeholders on deep-sea-related matters and contributing to expanding scientific knowledge of the world’s oceans towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and opportunities the blue economy offers, including the global transition to green energy.

Secretary-General meets with Belgian ministers to discuss progress in the work of ISA and furthering of cooperation in the field of deep-sea research

On 26 January 2023, during an official visit to Belgium, the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, met with Belgium’s Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and the North Sea, H. E. Mr. Vincent Van Quickenborne, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Federal Cultural Institutions, H.E. Ms. Hadja Lahbib.

Contribution of ISA to the protection of biodiversity and the marine environment in support of the co-management of global commons highlighted at CBD COP-15

From 12 to 16 December 2022, the Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) participated in the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP-15, Part 2) held in Montreal, Canada. This was the opportunity to engage at different levels in the discussions pertaining to the adoption of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and ensure complementarity with other international processes.

ISA’s fifth annual contractors’ meeting concludes in Delft, the Netherlands

The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) held the fifth annual meeting of exploration contractors from 5 to 7 December 2022. The meeting was hosted by Allseas and the Technical University of Delft, in Delft, the Netherlands. Forty-two representatives of ISA exploration contractors attended the three-day meeting, either in person or virtually.

ISA Secretary-General delivers annual statement to the United Nations General Assembly

On 9 December, the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael Lodge, reported on the progress made by the organization since December 2021 at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Secretary-General welcomed the support of the General Assembly to the work undertaken by ISA, especially the resumption of in-person meetings under the 27th session of the ISA Council and Assembly and progress on the negotiations on the draft regulations for exploitation of mineral resources in the Area.

ISA Secretary-General joins the 77th session of the UNGA commemorating the 40th Anniversary of UNCLOS

On 8 December 2022, the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael Lodge, was invited to address the plenary meetings of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in relation to the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the adoption and opening for signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).