Kingston, Jamaica, 13 July 2024 – The International Seabed Authority (ISA) announced the conclusion of the second part of the 29th session of the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC), held from 1 to 12 July 2024 in Kingston, Jamaica.
During the two-week session, the LTC conducted a comprehensive review of 30 annual reports submitted by contractors for activities carried out in 2023. While most contractors complied with their plans of work, the LTC expressed concerns about lower-than-estimated expenditure levels for some contractors. The LTC also noted the successful implementation of 40 training placements by 10 contractors and selected candidates for additional training opportunities.
A significant focus of the LTC meetings was on the evaluation of applications for exploration. The LTC recommended the approval of an application for a plan of work for polymetallic sulphides submitted by the Government of India. Additionally, a separate application for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts was considered, with a report adopted for the Council’s review.
As to environmental management, the LTC made substantial progress in developing environmental threshold values. An in-person meeting of the intersessional expert group, held in late June, contributed significantly to this effort. The LTC also finalized a standardized procedure for the development, establishment and review of regional environmental management plans (REMPs), adopting Recommendations on technical guidance for the development of REMPSs in support of the standardised procedure and template (ISBA/29/LTC/8).
The LTC acknowledged the relinquishment of areas under three contracts for the exploration for polymetallic sulphides and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, marking an important step in the ongoing management of exploration activities in the Area.
The LTC, comprising 41 experts from 41 different countries, plays a crucial role in the ISA’s governance structure. Its work during this session, including its continued efforts on regulatory activities such as developing environmental threshold values and standardizing approaches for REMPs, will inform discussions at the upcoming Council session, scheduled for 15-26 July 2024.
About ISA
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous intergovernmental organization mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to manage the mineral resources of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for the shared benefit of humankind. ISA is committed to the principle that all economic activities in the deep seabed, including deep-seabed mining, must be regulated and responsibly managed using the best available scientific evidence for the benefit of all nations of the world. ISA works to ensure that the voices of all States, including developing States and other stakeholders, are effectively heard in discussions around the sustainable development of the deep seabed.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mr. Philip Janikowski, Communications Specialist, ISA, pjanikowski@isa.org.jm
—————
For more information, visit our website, www.isa.org.jm, or follow us on Twitter @ISBAHQ.