News

Three African experts completed their two-month deployment in the Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) as part of the National Experts Deployment Programme of the Africa Deep Seabed Resources (ADSR) project on 20 December 2021. Mr. Godwin Dimike and Dr. Samuel Popoola from Nigeria and Mr. Gerald Mwila from Zambia joined the ISA Secretariat between October and December 2021.

**Faites défiler vers le bas pour le communiqué en français.** 

On 21 December 2021, Circular Metals Tuvalu Ltd. applied to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to approve a work plan for exploration for polymetallic nodules in the Area. Polymetallic nodules contain nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese. The area under application covers 74,460 km² divided into eight blocks in the reserved areas held by ISA in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean.

On 15 December 2021, the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) confirmed the selection of seven additional candidates for a seven-week online training course being provided by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) of the Government of India in accordance with its obligations under its exploration contract for polymetallic nodules with ISA. The selected candidates are:

Applications are now open for eight (8) at-sea on-board training opportunities for candidates from developing States Members of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The placements are provided by Companhia de Pesquisa de Recursos Minerais (CPRM, Brazil) in accordance with its obligations under its exploration contract for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts with ISA.

ISA is calling for candidates with a bachelor’s degree or work experience preferably in marine geology or engineering and technical research. Successful candidates should possess a good command of English.

The 26th session of the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) closed on 14 December 2021 after two days of in-person meetings held in Kingston, Jamaica. Some delegations attended the session virtually. The meetings were chaired by Ambassador Denys Wibaux from France as a President of the Assembly during the 26^th session.

In his opening statement, the Secretary-General of ISA, H.E. Mr. Michael Lodge, welcomed all delegations in Kingston and praised the support of ISA members towards the work under development. 

**Faites défiler vers le bas pour le communiqué en français.** 

The Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, presented the Third Edition Award for Excellence in Deep-Sea Research to Dr. Kirsty McQuaid from South Africa.

**Faites défiler vers le bas pour le communiqué en français.** 

The 26^th session of the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) was declared open by the President of the 26^th session, Ambassador Denys Wibaux of France on Monday 13 December 2021.

The Assembly is comprised of all 168 members of ISA, including 167 States and the European Union. The meetings are taking place in Kingston, Jamaica from 13 to 15 December 2021. Some delegations are attending virtually.

**Faites défiler vers le bas pour le communiqué en français.** 

The second part of the 26th session of the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) closed on 10 December 2021 after five days of in-person meetings held in Kingston, Jamaica. Some delegations attended the session virtually. The 26^th session of the ISA Council is effectively closed.

The ISA Council meetings focused on making decisions on the remaining items of the agenda and the schedule of meetings in 2022.

The deadline to apply for four online training opportunity provided by China Ocean Mineral Resources R & D Association (COMRA) for candidates from developing States Members of ISA has been extended to 28 February 2022.

The placements are being offered in accordance with COMRA’s obligations under its contracts with ISA for exploration of polymetallic sulphides. Following the extended application deadline of 28 October 2021, the Legal and Technical recommended that the training opportunities be re-advertised to allow for more candidates to have an opportunity to apply.

**Faites défiler vers le bas pour le communiqué en français.** 

The Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael Lodge, reported on progress made by the organization since 2020 at the 48^th plenary meeting of the 76^th session of the United Nations General Assembly taking place in New York this week. The Secretary-General welcomed the support of the United Nations General Assembly to work undertaken by ISA, especially the resumption of in-person meetings under the 26^th session of the ISA Council and the Assembly.

**Faites défiler vers le bas pour le communiqué en français.**

The second part of the 26th session of the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) opened in Kingston, Jamaica, on 6 December 2021. All 36 Council members are in attendance, either in-person or through video link. In addition, twelve delegations of observers are also following the discussions. 

**Faites défiler vers le bas pour le communiqué en français.**

The Permanent Representative of Brazil to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Ms. Elza Moreira Marcelino de Castro, presented her credentials to the Secretary-General of ISA, H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, during a ceremony held on 30 November 2021 at ISA headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica.

The deadline to send proposals for the preparation of phase two standards and guidelines for activities in the Area has been extended to 10 December 2021.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is seeking a legal consultant to identify, prepare, review and revise the phase two standards and guidelines for activities in the international seabed area (the Area) and provide advice for the finalization of the Draft Regulations on Exploitation of Mineral Resources in the Area.

On 30 November 2021, the Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) launched a new report entitled The Contribution of the International Seabed Authority to the Achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ISA Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, commissioned the report under the Strategic Plan and High-Level Action Plan of the Organization for 2019-2023, which explicitly recognize the importance of ISA to align its programmes and activities to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

On 19 November 2021, the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) confirmed the selection of candidates for two undergraduate degrees provided by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) of the Government of India in accordance with its obligations under its exploration contract for polymetallic nodules with ISA. The selected candidates are: