News

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Nominations are open for the Fourth Edition of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Secretary-General’s Award for Excellence in Deep-Sea Research.

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On 18 March 2022, the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) confirmed the selection of one (1) candidate for an at-sea training opportunity provided by Nauru Ocean Resources Inc (NORI) in accordance with its obligations under its exploration contract for polymetallic nodules with ISA.

The selected candidate is Jameal Magno from the Philippines.

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On 18 March 2022, the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) closed the first part of its 27^th session. The LTC met virtually between 14 and 18 March and held ten plenary meetings.

 “I wish to commend all the LTC members for their dedication, commitment and the significant amount of work they have accomplished in one week only,” said H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, the Secretary-General of ISA.

The LTC made progress on the following items:

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Following the approval by the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in December 2022 (ISBA/26/C/13/Add.1), the Secretary-General of ISA and the Secretary-General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 17 March 2022 to foster their collaboration in areas of common interest.

On 15 March 2022, the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) confirmed the selection of candidates for four (4) online training opportunities provided by China Ocean Mineral Resources R & D Association (COMRA) in accordance with its obligations under its exploration contract for polymetallic sulphides with ISA.

The selected candidates are:

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The Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is pleased to announce that several ISA Member States and contractors have recently made contributions totaling USD122,649 to the voluntary trust funds of ISA.

The Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) opened the meetings of the first part of its 27^th session, taking place virtually between 14 and 18 March 2022.

Mr. Harald Brekke (Norway) was re-elected as Chair of the LTC for the 27^th session, and Mr. Thembile Joyini (South Africa) was re-elected as Vice-Chair.

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On 1 March 2022, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) formalized their partnership to advance deep-sea taxonomic standardization in the Area.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I wish to reiterate our full commitment to advancing women empowerment and leadership in all areas of work of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), especially in the fields of law of the sea and marine scientific research. I personally attach the highest importance to this commitment. As one of the International Gender Champions since 2020, I have taken several steps to ensure we deliver collective transformative results.

The Government of the Republic of Nauru will be conducting a second and final stakeholder webinar in connection with the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) being developed by Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (NORI) in relation to technical trials of its prototype polymetallic nodules collector.

Nauru invites all stakeholders with an in interest in the collection of deep-sea polymetallic nodules to participate in the webinar, which will take place on 7 March 2022.

On 17 February 2022, the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) confirmed the selection of seven (7) candidates for training opportunities provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation in accordance with its obligations under its respective exploration contracts for polymetallic sulphides and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts with ISA. The selected candidates are divided as follows:

Under its contract for polymetallic sulphides, two (2) internship placements for theoretical and at-sea training:

On 28 February 2022, Dr. Raijeli L. Taga (Fiji), facilitator of the informal working group on the protection and preservation of the marine environment, will host a webinar to present her suggested revised text for Parts IV and VI and Annexes IV, VII and VIII of the draft regulations on exploitation of mineral resources in the Area (ISBA/27/C/IWG/ENV/CRP.1).

The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is seeking a consultant to assist with the development and implementation of a media engagement strategy that takes into account the complex environment within which ISA is fulfilling its mandate under the United Nations of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and in line with its strategic framework.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is launching two art competitions that aim to celebrate the deep sea, marine science and deep-sea exploration.

The competitions on the theme "deep-sea exploration” are open until 16 May 2022 and the winners will be announced on World Oceans Day, on 8 June 2022, during a special event held in Kingston, Jamaica.

For its local art competition, ISA is inviting all students under age 16 and registered in an elementary school in Jamaica to submit drawings or paintings.