KINGSTON, JAMAICA, 17 July 2012 – – The Council of the International Seabed Authority, meeting in Kingston, considered a report prepared by the Secretary-General on the status of national legislation relating to the sponsorship, and conduct of activities in the Area.
The Council had requested the report at last year’s session on the basis of the Advisory Opinion, issued by the Seabed Disputes Tribunal on 1 February 2011, which was discussed at the seventeenth session.
In its second meeting since the eighteenth session of the Authority began Monday, 16 July, the Council discussed the periodic review of implementation of plans of work for exploration for polymetallic nodules, and the status of fees paid for processing of applications for approval of plans of work. It decided to suspend deliberations on those two agenda items pending recommendations from the Authority’s expert bodies – the Legal and Technical Commission and the Finance Committee.
Also during the second meeting, Nii Allottey Odunton (Ghana) received a unanimous recommendation from the Council, as the sole candidate, for re-election to the post of Secretary-General of the Authority for another four years. The recommendation goes next to the Assembly for consideration and a decision.
The Council elected China, representing the Asia Group, and The Netherlands, from Western European and Other States group, to the remaining two positions for vice-president, joining Brazil (Latin American and Caribbean States) and the Czech Republic (Eastern European Group) who were elected at its first meeting.