Workshop on the development of a Regional Environmental Management Plan for the Area of the Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge
23 November – 4 December 2020
Virtual Workshop
……………………..
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) will convene a workshop on the development of a Regional Environmental Management Plan (REMP) for the Area of the Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) with a focus on polymetallic sulphides (PMS) deposits, from 23 November to 4 December 2020 (week days only), via an online meeting platform.
The workshop was originally scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, in June 2020. However, due to the implications associated with the pandemic of COVID-19, decision has been made to postpone it. The workshop will be held in collaboration with the Atlantic REMP Project funded by the European Union, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation and the All-Russia Scientific Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the Ocean (VNIIOkeangeologia).
Building on the results of previous REMP workshops, in particular the Évora workshop, the workshop aims to:
- Describe the geographical scope and environmental goals and objectives for the draft REMP;
- Identify possible elements to be included in the draft REMP for the Area of the northern MAR with a focus on PMS deposits;
- Identify potential management approaches and measures, with a focus on PMS deposits, that can be considered in the development of a REMP, including spatial and non-spatial measures as well as approaches for addressing cumulative impacts at the regional level, and
- Discuss the framework for implementation, including priority actions for addressing the knowledge gaps, monitoring and review of the implementation of the REMP, collaboration and capacity development.
Due to time differences in participants’ locations, it is envisaged that each meeting day will not exceed four hours. A detailed workshop programme and other information will be available on the workshop webpage in due course, including an information note for participants on online meeting logistics.
The nomination process has been completed and the selection of experts by the ISA Secretariat, in collaboration with the co-chairs and co-organizers, will be undertaken in accordance with the selection criteria, outlined in the initial workshop announcement, taking into account a balanced geographical representation and gender balance. The results of the selection of the experts will be available on the ISA website by 31 August 2020.
For enquiries, please contact:
Ms. Wanfei Qiu, Programme Manager (Marine Environment), Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources, ISA: wqiu@isa.org.jm