Kingston, Jamaica – 12 November 2024 — The International Seabed Authority Partnership Fund (ISAPF) Board convened its fourth and last meeting of 2024 today, marking a year of unprecedented achievement in advancing international cooperation in deep-sea research and exploration in the international seabed area (the Area) while building and developing the capacities of hundreds of experts from developing States, totalling USD1.2 million of investment in support of the stewardship of the Area.
Established by the Assembly in 2022 and operationalized in 2023, the ISAPF aims to accelerate the implementation of the scientific research priorities of the global deep-sea research agenda adopted unanimously by all ISA Members in 2020 in the form of the ISA Action Plan in support of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, while supporting the implementation of practical and meaningful training and capacity development programmes to support the effective participation of experts from developing States in research and exploration activities in the deep sea.
Since then, the ISAPF has received contributions from China, France, Greece, Ireland, Mexico, Monaco, Spain and the Federation of Russia. Some contributions have been earmarked to specific projects and activities, including the Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative, the Women in Deep-Sea Research Project and the Secretary-General Award for Excellence in Deep-Sea Research. Others have been allocated by the ISAPF Board to innovative activities to leverage synergies in support of the implementation of the global deep-sea research agenda led by ISA and the dedicated capacity development elements identified.
Opening the meeting, H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, ISA Secretary-General, underscored the strategic investments facilitated by the ISAPF, “As we conclude the fourth and final meeting of the ISAPF Board for 2024, I wish to commend the steady commitment of the members of the Board towards the mandate of ISA and the remarkable achievements we have witnessed this milestone year.”
“Looking ahead, the ISAPF will continue to play a crucial role in accelerating our collective action to advance marine scientific research and knowledge generation for the benefit of all humanity, leveraging strategic partnerships for transformative actions that result in meaningful and concrete impacts,” Mr. Lodge added.
“Such unique tool in support of a globally agreed set of objectives is a testament to the unique role and position that ISA occupies at a time where science diplomacy and the integrated participation of developing States in all facets of our work are essential conditions to strengthen multilateralism and successfully achieve sustainable and responsible management of shared ocean resources. I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to our Members, partners and the dedicated professionals who have made these achievements possible. Together, we are building a legacy of responsible stewardship of the Area and scientific advancement that will benefit generations to come,” Secretary-General Lodge concluded.
During the years 2023-2024, the ISAPF Board endorsed 12 projects and initiatives that significantly boost the efforts of ISA and its partners to advance marine scientific research and deep-sea exploration in the Area while providing trainees from developing ISA Member States with unique and sustainable capacity development opportunities.
During its first meeting in June 2023, the ISAPF Board endorsed the implementation of three projects for a total amount of USD327,000. These projects aimed at enhancing capacity and knowledge-sharing in meiofauna research through the establishment of a “MeioScool” (USD172,000), the development of a training course on environmental impact assessment for exploration activities carried out in the Area (USD100,000) organized by the ISA-Egypt Joint Training and Research Centre and building and developing capacities of least developed countries in deep-sea-related sciences, technology and innovation in support of the sustainable development of blue emerging economies in partnership with the United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries (USD55,000).
In January 2024 the Board approved five transformative projects that included the African Academy for Deep-Sea Diplomacy (USD170,000), the development of a data visualization platform for the Area (USD125,000), promoting deep-sea research in the Indian Ocean to advance knowledge and understanding in support of exploration for seabed minerals (USD52,500) and advancing Caribbean blue economy through the Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (USD100,00) in partnership with the University of the West Indies, Five Island Campus in Antigua and Barbuda.
In July 2024, the Board allocated USD318,000 to four groundbreaking projects and initiatives celebrating the 30th anniversary of ISA, including a project presented by Mozambique’s Early Career Ocean Professional Network Programme to foster deep-sea literacy, the Women in Blue: training opportunities in ocean science (USD98,000) in partnership with the National Research Council of Italy, the Women in Science Expedition in partnership with the Seabed Mineral Authority of the Cook Islands and a project to develop of a scientific methodology for adaptive management of deep-sea mining sediment plumes (USD100,000).
The achievements of the ISAPF throughout the year represent a significant milestone in international cooperation for deep-sea research and development. The ISAPF has strengthened the capacity of developing States to participate meaningfully in deep-sea activities while advancing crucial scientific research in the Area. As ISA celebrates its thirtieth anniversary, these accomplishments underscore its steady commitment to ensuring that the benefits of deep-sea exploration and research are genuinely shared by all nations, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future in ocean science.
To learn more about the ISAPF and specifics related to the initiatives and projects currently under implementation, refer to the ISAPF Factsheet for November 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.
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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.