In a significant stride towards fostering international cooperation and expertise in international law of the sea with a specific emphasis on the legal regime of deep-sea activities in the international seabed area (the Area), the International Seabed Authority (ISA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC), establishing the first-ever African Academy for Deep-Sea Diplomacy (ADSEA). The signing ceremony took place on Friday, 17 May 2024, in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Category: Press Release
The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority and the Japanese Ocean Mining Industry Promotion Roundtable join hands to advance technology and innovation in deep-sea research
Today, the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, and the Chairman of the Ocean Mining Industry Promotion Roundtable, Mr. Nobuaki Aoyama, signed a letter of cooperation to foster the relationship between the two institutions on strategic areas of mutual interest.
Beijing Pioneer Hi-Tech Development Corporation Ltd. launches stakeholder consultation on environmental impact statement for polymetallic nodule mining component test
Beijing Pioneer Hi-Tech Development Corporation Ltd. (BPC), an exploration contractor sponsored by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, has informed the Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) of the launch of a stakeholder consultation on the environmental impact statement (EIS) prepared for the testing of its polymetallic nodule mining component. BPC signed its 15-year exploration contract with ISA for the exploration of polymetallic nodules in the Western Pacific Ocean on 18 October 2019.
China Minmetals Corporation launches stakeholder consultation on environmental impact statement for polymetallic nodule collector test
CMC plans to conduct a test of its nodule prototype collector vehicle to collect polymetallic nodules from a depth ranging from 5,000 to 5,500 metres between July and October 2025. This should allow CMC to validate the nodule collector’s efficiency, reliability and economic feasibility. Environmental monitoring to evaluate potential impact on deep-sea ecosystems will be conducted simultaneously. This prototype will operate in Block A-5 of the CMC’s contract area.
The Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso presents credentials to the ISA Secretary-General
H.E. Mr. Oumarou Ganou presented his credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, as the Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso during a ceremony held in Kingston, Jamaica, on Tuesday, 16 April 2024.
ISA concludes engagement at the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference with renewed support and commitment towards its MSR Action Plan in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science
Barcelona, Spain – On Friday, 12 April, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) concluded its engagement at the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference, where scientists, policymakers and industry leaders convened to discuss cooperation, synergies and renewed commitments towards advancing marine science and knowledge.
International expert workshop concludes discussions on the best approaches to harness advanced technologies for the protection and sustainable use of the international seabed area
Porto, Portugal— On Friday, 5 April, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), in collaboration with the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC) of Portugal, successfully concluded the first international expert workshop entitled “Charting future horizons: harnessing advanced technologies for the protection and sustainable use of the international seabed area.”
ISA Council closes the first part of its 29th session with approval of MoU with FAO and further progress in negotiations on the draft exploitation regulations
Kingston, Jamaica – On 29 March 2024, the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) successfully concluded the first part of its 29th session, marking significant progress in the ongoing negotiations of the draft exploitation regulations for mineral resources in the international seabed area (the Area).
Successful applicants announced for the “One Thousand Reasons” campaign
In a major stride towards understanding the mysteries of our oceans, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), in collaboration with the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and supported by the European Union, is excited to announce the successful applicants for the groundbreaking “One Thousand Reasons” campaign. The response was unprecedented, with 65 applications from 21 countries among all five regional groups of ISA Members and one country with observer status. This initiative signifies a monumental effort to describe at least one thousand new deep-sea species by 2030, enhancing our collective knowledge of life in areas beyond national jurisdiction.