ISA side event at UNOC2022 | Global launch of SSKI: Advancing scientific understanding of deep-sea ecosystems in the Area for the benefit of all humanity
29 Jun 2022
| 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM Altice Arena, Side Event Room 2Event ID: IBZW2911 |
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CONTEXT | OBJECTIVES | PROGRAMME | STATEMENTS | FLYER | PHOTOS OF THE EVENT
Context
With the progress of negotiations on the International Seabed Authority (ISA)’s mining code and on the legally binding instrument for biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), the demands for enhanced understanding of deep-sea ecosystems and its uptake in various global ocean processes has been growing. As a model example of concerted global efforts to increase the availability and accessibility of scientific information on deep-sea ecosystems, the Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative (SSKI) implemented by ISA will serve as a catalyst to generate, assess, and disseminate new deep-sea biodiversity information to inform decision-making processes and ensure effective protection of the marine environment in the international seabed area (the Area). To fulfill its objectives, SSKI will rely on the establishment of an interdisciplinary network of experts and key stakeholders, including Member States, the scientific community, competent international organizations and the industry (ISA contractors in particular).
Objectives
This side event will serve to formally launch SSKI and raise the strategic visibility of the international community’s collective efforts, through ISA, in support of advancing marine scientific research in line with the strategic research priorities identified by ISA Members in the ISA Action Plan in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science adopted in 2020. The event will focus on scaling up efforts towards enhancing deep-sea biodiversity assessments, tools, and capacity, for effective implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14.
Programme
| 2:30 – 2:45 PM
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Opening Remarks
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| 2:45 – 3:05 PM | Session 1: Global launch of the Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative (SSKI)
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| 3:05 – 3:30 PM | Session 2: Scaling up actions to advance deep-sea biodiversity knowledge and capacity for sustainable management of activities in the Area
Strategic partnerships for transformative actions
Generating and sharing knowledge
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| 3:30 – 3:40 PM | Open forum: Enhancing science-policy interface for sustainable management of activities in the Area
Participants are invited to share their insights and perspectives on enhancing deep-sea biodiversity knowledge and capacity for sustainable management of activities in the international seabed area based on the following guiding questions:
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| 3:40 – 3:45 PM | Summary and way forward
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