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.
Highlighting the significant contribution Fiji has made to the work of ISA since it was established 25 years ago under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Mr. Lodge commanded Fiji for its contribution and long standing support to the Organization, particularly through its leadership as a Council member.
In response, the Prime Minister of Fiji, Mr. Frank Bainimarama, stressed that ISA had a “significant role to play for ensuring the sustainable management of deep-seabed resources and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
During his visit to Fiji, the Secretary-General of ISA met with the Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Inia Seruiratu and the Hon. Minister for Lands and Minerals Resources, Mr. Ashneel Sudhakar to discuss potential areas of cooperation.
Meetings were also held with regional organizations such as the Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the Pacific Island Development Forum (PIDF) to discuss current initiatives and future areas of cooperation with a view of addressing the needs of ISA P-SIDS members.
Also, on 2 August, the Secretary-General participated in a public lecture at the University of the South Pacific on ‘The issue of deep seabed mining and the engagement of Pacific Islands States.’
Mr. Michael W. Lodge departed Fiji for Nauru and Kiribati where he attended, together with representatives of P-SIDS Sponsoring States, ISA led regional training and capacity building workshops designed to implement the Abyssal Initiative Project (#OceanAction16538) implemented in partnership with UNDESA.
Category: Press Release
Regional workshops held in Nauru and Kiribati to strengthen specific capacity-building needs of Pacific sponsoring States
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.
Third IORA Ministerial Conference underscores crucial role of deep-sea exploration in advancing the Blue Economy in the Indian Ocean region
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.
Workshop on deep-seabed resources and the Blue Economy organised by ISA and Myanmar with the support of KMI highlights regional capacity-building needs for ASEAN & BIMSTEC Members
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.
UN Global Compact meeting on Oceans outlines rising demand for responsibly sourced deep-seabed minerals and related opportunities in delivering on the Global Goals
Deep seabed mining has the potential to accelerate progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by increasing scientific knowledge of the deep ocean whilst at the same time providing opportunities for economic growth on the basis of fairness and equity , highlighted Mr. Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) at the High-Level UN Global Compact meeting held in Oslo, Norway, last week.
Jamaica celebrates World Oceans Day at the International Seabed Authority Open Day
The 2019 edition of World Oceans Day 2019 (WOD) was launched in Kingston, Jamaica, on 7 June with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Open Day, held in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT) of Jamaica and the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU).
Promoting strengthened cooperation to support the sustainable development of African deep-seabed resources and Africa’s Blue Economy
High-level representatives from African States, international organizations and experts on law of the sea, policy, mining, environment protection and geology convened at a regional workshop from 16 to 18 May, organized in Pretoria by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), in partnership with the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).
China pledges extraordinary support to ISA for the Endowment Fund for Marine Scientific Research, the Voluntary Trust Fund and 25th Anniversary
To mark the 25th Anniversary of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the Government of the People’s Republic of China pledged extraordinary support to the programmes and initiatives of ISA that encourage increased participation of developing States, including in marine scientific research activities, and promote the sustainable development of mineral resources in the international deep seabed area.
Myanmar commemorates 25th Anniversary of the International Seabed Authority in New York
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar offered a contribution to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) at a ceremony led by Ambassador Hau Do Suan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations in New York, on 3 April.
