Goa, India – 20 September 2025 – The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) held the Eighth Annual Meeting of Exploration Contractors from 18 to 20 September 2025 in Goa, India. The meeting was jointly hosted by the ISA Secretariat and the Government of India through the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO).
News and Stories
Signing of the polymetallic sulphides contract between the International Seabed Authority and the Government of India
New Delhi, India – 15 September 2026 – Madam Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), Leticia Carvalho, today signed on behalf of ISA a 15-year contract for exploration for polymetallic sulphides (PMS) with Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, on behalf of the Government of India in New Delhi, India.
The Kingdom of Bahrain sponsors Impossible Metals to apply for a deep-sea mining exploration contract in international waters
Kingston, Jamaica – 8 September 2025 – On 8 September 2025, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) received an application for approval of a plan of work for the exploration of polymetallic nodules from Impossible Metals Bahrain, sponsored by the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Lesotho presents credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority
Kingston, Jamaica – 26 August 2025 – Ambassador Matete Nena presented his credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), Ms. Leticia Carvalho, as the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the ISA during a ceremony held in Kingston, Jamaica, on 26 August 2025.
The Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Marshall Islands presents credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority
Kingston, Jamaica – 20 August 2025 – Ambassador John Silk presented his credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), Ms. Leticia Carvalho, as the first-ever Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the ISA during a ceremony held in Kingston, Jamaica, on 20 August 2025.
ISA announces the call for applications for the inaugural African Academy for Deep Sea Diplomacy
African Academy for Deep Sea Diplomacy
International Seabed Authority holds a landmark 30th session: the Assembly adopts historic decisions as negotiations on the Mining Code progress
Kingston, Jamaica – 30 July 2025 – The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has concluded its 30th session of the Assembly held from 21 to 25 July at its headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica. The Assembly is the culmination of five intensive weeks of work across ISA’s organs, the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC), the Finance Committee and the Council, which resulted in decisive progress in advancing the Authority’s regulatory and institutional mandate.
ISA announces the sixth call for applications on its Deep Dive e-learning platform
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is inviting interested candidates to apply to the sixth cohort of the Deep Dive programme until 15 August 2025.
The International Seabed Authority and the Food and Agriculture Organization sign a landmark memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in deep-sea fisheries and ocean governance in areas beyond national jurisdiction
Nice, France – 12 June 2025, The International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation on matters related to deep-sea fisheries, biodiversity and the sustainable management of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The signing took place on the sidelines of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France.
The International Seabed Authority launches Deep-sea Biobank Initiative to boost global access to deep-sea biological samples and genetic data
Nice, France – 11 June 2025 – The International Seabed Authority (ISA) launched the Deep-Sea Biobank Initiative (DBI) to enhance access to deep-sea biological samples and genetic data collected from the international seabed area beyond national jurisdiction (the Area). The DBI was announced on the margins of the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, during a high-level event that brought together government leaders, regional and international organizations, scientists and private companies.
