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.

ISA and the Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea strengthen their partnership in support of deep-sea research, data management, sustainable development of seabed minerals and capacity development

On 24 November 2022, the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, and the Honorable Minister of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Mr. Seung-hwan Cho, formalized a renewed partnership between the ISA Secretariat and the Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries (MOF) to further strengthen collaboration in deep-sea exploration, scientific research and the sustainable development of seabed mineral resources in the international seabed area (the Area).

DEADLINE EXTENDED – Calls for proposals for two consultancies for the preparation of draft standards and/or guidelines on electronic monitoring and insurance obligations

The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is accepting proposals for two consultancies for the preparation of draft standards and/or guidelines on 1) electronic monitoring and 2) insurance obligations for the future exploitation of mineral resources in the international seabed area (the Area).

Hidden Gem

ISA Council closes Part III of its meetings and concludes its 27th session

The Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) closed the meetings of Part III of its 27th session on Friday, 11 November 2022, ending the 27th session of ISA. The Council met in person for ten days. A total of 30 of the 36 Members of the Council were in attendance, along with 16 other Members and 12 observers. The main item on the agenda was the draft regulations on the exploitation of mineral resources in the Area prepared by the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) and submitted to the Council in March 2019 (ISBA/25/C/WP.1). The Council also discussed other processes and documents necessary to support the sustainable development of mineral resources in the Area and agreed on a plan of work for 2023.