News

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is seeking a consultant with the requisite experience in international development/economics/marine or environmental policy or related fields. The selected consultant will prepare a review report in line with the Terms of Reference.

Today, the new Permanent Representative of Spain to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Diego Bermejo Romero de Terreros, presented his credentials to ISA Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge during a ceremony held at ISA Secretariat in Kingston.

Women empowerment and leadership in marine scientific research are essential aspects of the actions undertaken by the International Seabed Authority to fulfil the responsibilities assigned to it under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1994 Agreement.

On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is pleased to showcase women’s accomplishments in the field of deep-sea research.

Between 2010 and 2020, 420 individuals benefited from ISA capacity-building programmes and initiatives. 180 were women. As part of its efforts to raise awareness and inspire more women from developing States, ISA has invited several women scientists who have benefited from its programmes to share their stories.

Applications are now open for candidates from developing States members of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for two at-sea placements with Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd (TOML), in accordance with its obligations under its exploration contract with for polymetallic nodules with ISA.

Yesterday, the new Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Ms. Alison Stone Roofe, presented her credentials to ISA Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge during a ceremony held at ISA Secretariat in Kingston.

Ambassador Stone Roofe, in reiterating the commitment of Jamaica as host State of ISA, stated: “I am deeply honoured to serve in this capacity and to continue the tradition of excellence by my predecessors. Jamaica will continue to support ISA to ensure that the Organization is successful in carrying out its mandate.”

Norway, France and Mexico have reaffirmed their commitment to support, through three separate grants, the implementation by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) of capacity development programmes and activities targeted at developing States members of ISA and to improve their integrated participation in the work of the Organization.  

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia have concluded a virtual national capacity building workshop, which took place on 25-27 January in Kingston / 26-28 January in Indonesia.

The workshop involved 87 participants, including government officials, policymakers and researchers, and aimed at providing them with the necessary skills to enable Indonesia’s full participation in the work of ISA and in activities in the Area.

Today, the new Permanent Representative of Malta to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Ms. Vanessa Frazier, presented her credentials to ISA Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge during a virtual ceremony.

“The International Seabed Authority plays an important role in the protection of marine environments and the promotion of ocean governance,” said Ambassador Frazier. Secretary-General Lodge stated that “It is a great pleasure to welcome Ambassador Frazier amongst the ISA community and to acknowledge Malta’s support to the work of the Organization.”

Yesterday, the new Permanent Representative of the European Union to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Ms. Marianne Van Steen, presented her credentials to ISA Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, in a ceremony that took place at the headquarters of ISA in Kingston, Jamaica.

 “I am delighted to welcome H.E. Ms. Van Steen as new Permanent Representative of the European Union to ISA and we look forward to continuing working closely with the European Union and its member States in the implementation of our mandate” said Mr. Lodge.

On 17 December 2020, the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) formally endorsed the shift towards a programmatic approach to capacity development and requested the Secretary-General to prepare and implement a dedicated strategy to meet the needs identified by ISA members, in particular geographically disadvantaged States, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States and least developed countries.

The Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has approved today the Action Plan for Marine Scientific Research (MSR) in the Area that will formalize ISA’s contribution to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, set to begin January 2021.

The objectives of the UN Decade are at the core of ISA’s mandate to promote and encourage the conduct of marine scientific research in the international seabed area (the Area), disseminate the results, and facilitate participation of developing States in deep-sea exploration and research programmes.

Yesterday the International Seabed Authority (ISA) opened its workshop on Marine Scientific Research in the Area, which will identify ways to establish a collaborative platform to improve the state of knowledge of biodiversity in mid-ocean ridge ecosystems, in particular in the Indian Ocean.

The virtual workshop, organized in collaboration with the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA), and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), will last three days.

The Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has approved Blue Minerals Jamaica Limited’s plan of work for exploration of polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), making Jamaica, the host country of ISA, the second Caribbean country and the sixth small island developing State to sponsor a contractor for exploration in the Area.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is inviting comments from stakeholders on the draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy prepared by the Secretariat.