Promoting strengthened cooperation to support the sustainable development of African deep-seabed resources and Africa’s Blue Economy

High-level representatives from African States, international organizations and experts on law of the sea, policy, mining, environment protection and geology convened at a regional workshop from 16 to 18 May, organized in Pretoria by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), in partnership with the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).

China pledges extraordinary support to ISA for the Endowment Fund for Marine Scientific Research, the Voluntary Trust Fund and 25th Anniversary

To mark the 25th Anniversary of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the Government of the People’s Republic of China pledged extraordinary support to the programmes and initiatives of ISA that encourage increased participation of developing States, including in marine scientific research activities, and promote the sustainable development of mineral resources in the international deep seabed area.

Proposal of draft exploitation regulations released by ISA Legal and Technical Commission

Today marks a major step forward towards the delivery of a comprehensive legal regime for deep-seabed mining beyond national jurisdiction with the release of draft regulations on exploitation of the mineral resources in the international seabed area by the Legal and Technical Commission, a 30-member expert advisory body of the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

High-level BBNJ side-event highlights ISA’s commitment to protecting the marine environment over the last 25 years

UN Permanent Representatives, senior officials as well as many legal and scientific experts attending the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Conference for the conservation and sustainable development of marine diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) in New York this week attended a side-event on Tuesday 26 March dedicated to acknowledging the 25 years of existence of the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

1st Part of the 25th Annual Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Highlights for Thursday, 28 February 2019

On Thursday, the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) focused on issues related to the Enterprise, an organ foreseen in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as ISA’s own mining arm. Delegates discussed the operationalization of the Enterprise, a joint venture proposal with the Government of Poland, and a draft decision on the terms of reference for the Special Representative for the Enterprise.

1st Part of the 25th Annual Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Highlights for Wednesday, 27 February 2019

On Wednesday, the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) continued its deliberations, addressing cooperation with other relevant international organizations and further focusing on components of the draft regulations for exploitation of mineral resources in the Area, including:

  • independent review of environmental plans and performance assessments; and
  • an inspection mechanism.

Monaco strengthens cooperation with ISA to boost deep sea marine scientific research through support to the SG’s Award for Excellence in Deep Sea Research and the Endowment Fund for Marine Scientific Research

The Principality of Monaco announced today that it has pledged extraordinary support to the programmes and initiatives of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) that promote and encourage deep sea marine scientific research. More specifically, the € 20,000 grant announced by Monaco will be allocated to the Secretary-General’s Award for Excellence in Deep Sea Research and to the Endowment Fund for Marine Scientific Research.