8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Hotel Olissipo Oriente, Room Pequim BEvent ID: OBZB141

CONTEXT | OBJECTIVES | PROGRAMME | FLYER | PRESS RELEASE | PHOTOS OF THE EVENT

Context

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is the organization through which States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) organize and control all mineral resources related activities in the international seabed area (the Area) for the benefit of humankind as a whole. In so doing, ISA has the duty to (i) ensure effective protection for the marine environment and of human life with respect to deep-seabed related activities, (ii) promote and encourage the conduct of marine scientific research in the Area and (iii) promote the effective participation of developing States in activities in the Area, in particular the least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS).

In accordance with its mandate under UNCLOS, a key responsibility of ISA is to design and implement mechanisms for building and developing the capacity of its Members in line with the priority needs identified by them, in particular the geographically disadvantaged States LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. It is in this context that ISA has been implementing its programmatic approach to capacity development through a range of initiatives. These include, among others, the Contractors’ Training Programme, the Internship Programme, the Endowment Fund for Marine Scientific Research, National and Regional Workshops, the Joint Training Research Centre as well as several Voluntary Commitments registered at the 2017 UN Ocean.

Objectives

This side event will provide a unique opportunity to demonstrate concrete actions towards fostering international and regional cooperation in support of sustainable development of ocean-based economies for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS through dedicated and tailored capacity development that is responsive to the needs identified by these countries. Such actions contribute towards the achievement SDG 14, in particular Target 14.a (Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries),  Target 14.c (Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want) and Target 14.7 (By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism).

It is anticipated that the side event will help underline existing interlinkages between SDG 14 and other SDGs such as SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The side event is aligned with Interactive Dialogues 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Programme