Kingston, Jamaica – 6 March 2026 – The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has concluded the first part of the work of the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC), which convened between 23 February and 6 March 2026. The LTC, which brings together legal, technical and scientific expertise to advise the Council, advances discussions and makes recommendations on the exercise of ISA functions, including rules, regulations and procedures, exploration contracts and environmental management.
Enhanced participation and leadership
The LTC saw 33 of its 41 members participate, reflecting increased engagement in ISA’s technical work. During the session, Dr. Sissel Eriksen (Norway) and Prof. Edwin Egede (Nigeria) were elected Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively, bringing renewed leadership to the LTC.
The Secretariat expressed its sincere gratitude to Dr. Erasmo A. Lara-Cabrera of Mexico, outgoing Chair of the LTC, for his dedicated service and expert guidance. Under his leadership, the LTC reached several key milestones, including the Council’s approval of the standardized procedure for the development, establishment and review of regional environmental management plans (REMPs), the establishment of the intersessional expert group (IEG) on environmental thresholds, endorsement of the data management strategic plan, development of the process for assessing contractors at risk of non-compliance, among others. Dr. Lara-Cabrera’s experience in international law and the law of the sea has been instrumental in advancing the work of the LTC.
Exploration contracts
The LTC reviewed an application from Impossible Metals Bahrain W.L.L. for approval of a plan of work for exploration of polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. The application will continue to be examined during the intersessional period.
Eight applications for extensions of existing plans of work were considered. Recommendations were forwarded to the Council for six applications for exploration submitted by the following contractors: Interoceanmetal Joint Organization, JSC Yuzhmorgeologiya (Russian Federation), Government of the Republic of Korea, China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (China), Deep Ocean Resources Development Co. Ltd. (Japan) and Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (France). Two applications from the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (Germany) and Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (Nauru), whose contracts are set to expire in July 2026, will be considered during the second meeting of the LTC in June 2026.
Environmental threshold values
The LTC noted progress made by the IEG on environmental threshold values. The IEG report will be released for public stakeholder consultation during the intersessional period of the 31st session. The LTC is expected to review consultation outcomes and make recommendations to the Council during the 32nd session in 2027.
Regional Environmental Management Plans
Progress on REMPs was also reviewed, including planned activities to advance their development and review over the next three years. The LTC noted the preparation of a regional REMP workshop scheduled for May 2026 in Busan, Republic of Korea, which will focus on management assessments in line with the Standardized procedure for the development, establishment and review of [REMPs] (ISBA/30/C/21) adopted during the 30th session of the Council.
The LTC also agreed to organize a side event on the Northwest Pacific REMP at the margins of the Council meetings in July 2026.
Economic Planning Commission
The LTC provided technical input on the proposed mechanism for the election of members of the Economic Planning Commission, as requested in the Decision of the Council of the [ISA] on the operationalization of the Economic Planning Commission (ISBA/30/C/17), requesting the Secretary-General to transmit the proposed mechanisms to the Council for consideration during the first meeting of the 31st session.
About ISA
ISA is an autonomous intergovernmental organization mandated by the UNCLOS to manage the mineral resources of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for the shared benefit of humankind. ISA is committed to ensuring that all economic activities in the deep seabed, including mining, are regulated and responsibly managed using the best available scientific evidence for the benefit of all humankind.
For media inquiries, please contact:
ISA Communications Unit, news@isa.org.jm
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