The first part of the 26th session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) convenes in Kingston, Jamaica, and will include meetings of the: ISA Council (17-21 February); and Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) (24 February – 6 March 2020). The Council meeting is preceded by the Open-Ended Ad Hoc Working Group (13-14 February 2020).
Expectations for the Meeting
The ISA Council is expected to continue to address the draft exploitation regulations on deep-seabed mining. At the last meeting in July 2019, delegates agreed to submit to the Secretariat comments and suggestions on a note on the draft exploitation regulations developed by the LTC. At this session, they will continue to consider the LTC note, alongside the submissions received during the intersessional period. They will also consider a proposal on a standardized approach for minimum standards related to regional environmental management plans (REMPs).
Other items on the agenda of the ISA Council for this session include:
- the status of contracts for exploration and related matters, including information on the periodic review of the implementation of approved exploration plans of work;
- the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the decision of the Council in 2019 relating to the reports of the LTC Chair; and
- issues relating to the election in 2021 of members of the Legal and Technical Commission.