ISA’s fifth annual contractors’ meeting concludes in Delft, the Netherlands

The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) held the fifth annual meeting of exploration contractors from 5 to 7 December 2022. The meeting was hosted by Allseas and the Technical University of Delft, in Delft, the Netherlands. Forty-two representatives of ISA exploration contractors attended the three-day meeting, either in person or virtually.

ISA Secretary-General delivers annual statement to the United Nations General Assembly

On 9 December, the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael Lodge, reported on the progress made by the organization since December 2021 at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Secretary-General welcomed the support of the General Assembly to the work undertaken by ISA, especially the resumption of in-person meetings under the 27th session of the ISA Council and Assembly and progress on the negotiations on the draft regulations for exploitation of mineral resources in the Area.

ISA Secretary-General joins the 77th session of the UNGA commemorating the 40th Anniversary of UNCLOS

On 8 December 2022, the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael Lodge, was invited to address the plenary meetings of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in relation to the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the adoption and opening for signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Call for proposals for consultancy services to undertake a study on the internalization of environmental costs of exploitation activities in the Area in the production costs of minerals from the Area

The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is accepting proposals for consultancy services to undertake a study on the internalization of environmental costs of exploitation activities in the Area in the production costs of minerals from the Area.

ISA Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative roadmap to 2025 establishes an inclusive collaborative partners network to unlock biodiversity knowledge in the Area

On 1 December 2022, the Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) successfully concluded the inception workshop of its Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative (SSKI) with the adoption of a clear roadmap of activities to achieve tangible outputs for sustainably advancing the understanding of biodiversity in the deep ocean by 2025. The workshop, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) of the Republic of Korea, took place from 29 November to 1 December 2022 at the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea (MABIK) in Seocheon, Korea.

ISA Legal and Technical Commission announces the selection of two (2) candidates to benefit from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea training opportunities

On 29 November 2022, the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) confirmed the selection of two (2) candidates for at-sea on-board training opportunities provided by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea (MOF-ROK) in accordance with its obligations under its exploration contract for polymetallic sulphides with ISA.

ISA emphasizes the importance of strengthening multilateralism in ocean affairs for the sustainable management of global public goods at the ASEAN Conference on the 40th Anniversary of UNCLOS

On Tuesday, 29 November 2022, the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, was invited to address the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Conference organized in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

ISA successfully concludes workshop on enhancing genetic approaches to advance deep-sea taxonomy for biodiversity assessment in the Area

On Friday, 25 November 2022, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) successfully concluded a three-day workshop on enhancing genetic approaches to advance deep-sea taxonomy for biodiversity assessment. The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea (MOF) and the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea (MABIK) in Seocheon, Korea. It gathered experts from the scientific community, ISA exploration contractors, government and regional organizations from 20 countries attending either in person or remotely.

DEADLINE EXTENDED – Calls for proposals for consultancy services on the development of geological models for polymetallic nodules and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts in the Area

The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is accepting proposals for consultancy services for the development of geological models for polymetallic nodules (PMN) and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts (CFC) in the international seabed area (the Area) using artificial intelligence techniques.