On 11 October 2023, the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) confirmed the selection of three (3) candidates from developing States to benefit from training opportunities provided by Marawa Research and Exploration Ltd. (Marawa) in accordance with its obligations under its exploration contract for polymetallic nodules with ISA.
The selected candidates are:
- Muthoni Kanyugo from Kenya
- Ralph Carlo Evidente from the Philippines
- Shynuga Thirukeswaran from Sri Lanka
The selected candidates have been offered placements to participate in Dive 1 of the ISA e-learning training platform, Deep Dive.
Deep Dive is the first and only e-learning training platform exclusively devised to address all elements of the legal regime in Part XI of the United National Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement, including both technical and scientific aspects.
Developed by the ISA Secretariat together with renowned international experts in the field, the online curriculum consists of a modular structure with three progressive levels (Dives 1, 2 and 3), each comprising modules that offer a mix of compulsory and elective lessons to ensure the successful transfer of foundational knowledge and a degree of flexibility to accommodate personal preferences.
Dive 1 includes a mandatory module on UNCLOS and the governance of the Area and will fit the needs of individuals with little knowledge of the legal regime of the Area. The seven mandatory lessons and four electives to be chosen by trainees will guide participants through the key features of the concept of the common heritage of humankind, the fundamental principles governing the Area, the role, functions and mandate of ISA, and the objectives of sustainable development of the Area and its resources.
One of the Voluntary Commitments registered by ISA at the 2017 UN Ocean Conference (#OceanAction 40768) and reiterated at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference aims at “Advancing women’s empowerment in marine scientific research”– As partner of the Women in Deep-Sea Research (WIDSR) project, Marawa has pledged to allocate 50% of the training opportunities to qualified women applicants.
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All contractors with ISA have a legal obligation to provide and fund practical training opportunities for personnel from developing States and those of ISA, including the participation of such personnel in all activities in the Area which are covered by the contract.
The legal basis for the requirement stems from the provisions of UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement and is set out in the standard terms of exploration contracts signed with ISA.
Please visit this page to know more about the Contractor Training Programme.
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Annekah Mason, Training Coordinator, ISA, training@isa.org.jm