News

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is committed to contributing to the delivery of the 2030 Agenda and supporting Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) to achieve the sustainable management of their marine resources, highlighted Mr. Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General of ISA at an Our Oceans conference side-event held in Oslo today, hosted by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).

The third annual meeting between the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Secretariat and the contractors with deep-sea exploration contracts in the international deep-seabed (the Area) concluded in Changsa, China on Sunday. Delegates gathered at the three-day meeting hosted by China Minmetals from 11 to 13 October to discuss areas of common interest, and the next steps in moving from exploration to the sustainable development of deep-sea mineral resources.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is calling for expressions of interest from government representatives from African countries, members of ISA, for a two-month secondment with the Organization to advance geological and ocean policy activities.

A high-level workshop on ‘Deep-seabed Resources and the Blue Economy,’ organized by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in partnership with the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, was held in Nay Pyi Taw, this week.

Co-sponsored by the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), the 2-day workshop held from 9 to 10 September, was targeted at identifying the capacity-building needs of the Members of ISA, along with ASEAN and BIMSTEC Members, as well as raising awareness of the opportunities associated with increasing their participation in activities in the international deep-seabed Area.

FOR A STUDY OF THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF POLYMETALLIC NODULES PRODUCTION FROM THE AREA ON THE ECONOMIES OF DEVELOPING LAND-BASED PRODUCERS OF THOSE METALS WHICH ARE LIKELY TO BE MOST SERIOUSLY AFFECTED

Effective international cooperation in collecting and sharing knowledge of ocean resources will be critical to realizing all aspects of the Blue Economy in the Indian Ocean region, particularly data on marine biodiversity, highlighted the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Mr. Michael W. Lodge, at the Third IORA Ministerial Conference held in Dhaka on 5 September.

Applications are now open for the International Seabed Authority (ISA) contractor training programme (2019-2020) for candidates from developing countries.

ISA is calling for Bachelor, Master and PhD graduates from a range of disciplines including zoology, marine biology, geology, geophysics, environment, law and marine/ocean policy to take part in on-land and at-sea placements, along with trainee fellowships, internships and professional development training (see full list below).

Senior governments officials and experts from Pacific Small Island Developing States (P-SIDS) of the four sponsoring States (Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and Tonga) convened at regional workshops held in Nauru and Kiribati, last week to boost the capacity of P-SIDS in marine scientific research and raise awareness of the legal aspects of deep seabed activities undertaken beyond national jurisdiction.

Initiating a series of visits in the Pacific region, the International Seabed Authority (ISA)’s Secretary-General Mr. Michael W. Lodge, met with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Mr. Frank Bainimarama, as well as other high-level officials to discuss the sustainable development of mineral resources in the international deep seabed area and the commitment of the Organization to ensure increased participation of Pacific Islands Developing States (P-SIDS) in its work. 
 

Heads of States and Government, ministers, former Secretary-Generals, United Nations officials and observers who attended the Special Commemorative Session of the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Kingston on 25 July 2019 commended ISA on its efforts towards advancing the sustainable development of mineral resources for the benefit of all mankind over the last 25 years.

A special Session of the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), which includes all 168 Members of ISA, will be held at the Jamaica Conference Centre on 25 July to commemorate ISA’s 25th anniversary.

The second edition of the Secretary General’s Award for Excellence in Deep-Sea Research will be held in the morning, followed by a high-level panel on capacity building co-chaired by H.E. Baron Waqa, President of Nauru.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly opened its historic 25th Session in Kingston, Jamaica today, with High-level representatives from 72 countries commemorating ISA on its efforts towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and reflecting on ISA’s unique role as custodian of the common heritage of mankind.

Outgoing Assembly President Mariusz-Orion Jędrysek of Poland underscored that this year marks an important milestone for ISA, highlighting key objectives and challenges of the Assembly over the next 25 years.

Tonga Offshore Mining Limited (TOML) together with Estrutura de Missão para a Extensão da Plataforma Continental (EMEPC) of Portugal have donated a black smoker chimney to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Gallery in Kingston, Jamaica, ahead of ISA’s 25th Anniversary commemorative ceremony on 25 July 2019. 

Part II of the 25^th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council opened in Kingston, Jamaica this week with a key focus on the development of the draft exploitation regulations for minerals in the international seabed area, along with other regulatory matters.

Representatives from Member States and Observers are gathered here from 15 to 19 July to carry out a first reading of the draft exploitation regulations for commercial deep seabed mining and continue discussions around the payment mechanism for mineral exploitations.

The 25th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Part II opens on 15 July with the ISA Council in Kingston, Jamaica, where Member States and Observers are set to commemorate ISA’s 25th Anniversary and continue their discussions around the draft exploitation regulations for commercial deep seabed mining in the international deep seabed area, amongst other matters.