ISA-Philippines National Capacity Development Workshop on deep-sea related matters
9 Oct 2023 - 11 Oct 2023
Manila, Philippines
AGENDA |
Background and rational
The upcoming ISA-Philippines National Capacity Development Workshop on deep-sea related matters, scheduled from 9-11 October 2023 in Manila, Philippines, builds on a series of workshops and consultations organized in the last decade. Stemming from the Pioneering Workshop for Development of Sustainable Seabed Policy held with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in 2014, a subsequent workshop in 2017, and the Consultation with Technical Experts held in December 2022, the 2023 workshop seeks to propel discussions further on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the work of ISA in the context of the Philippines’ progress towards the development of its national blue economy objectives.
The workshop presents an opportunity for convergence, gathering government officials, experts, academics, and private sector representatives. It aims to bolster capacity development by delving into selected deep-sea related topics on prospecting, exploration, and exploitation activities. Additionally, the workshop will address the future engagement of the Philippines in matters pertaining to the Area, extending the dialogue initiated through previous events. The collaboration between ISA and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines (DFA) – Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office (MOAO) underscores the significance of this endeavour.
Objective of the workshop
The central objectives of the ISA-Philippines National Capacity Development Workshop on deep-sea related matters are multifaceted. They encompass increasing awareness and enhancing understanding of UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement, amplifying understanding of the potential economic and environmental benefits and risks of seabed mining, identifying pivotal issues and challenges integral to the development of a comprehensive deep-sea related policy and regulatory framework for the Philippines, and fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders from governmental, academic, and private sectors on deep-seabed related concerns.
Programme highlights
The workshop will be structured around six key thematic areas:
- Legal and regulatory framework for deep-seabed mining
- The use of deep-seabed minerals resources in support of the Philippines’ national blue economy
- Role and responsibilities of sponsoring States and contractors
- Protection of the marine environment, marine scientific research, and benefit sharing
- Capacity development programmes
- Potential benefits of deep-sea mining for the Philippines
Each thematic area will feature presentations by ISA experts, the Legal and Technical Commission of ISA, and representatives from international organizations. Subsequent discussions and Q&A sessions will foster in-depth engagement. Furthermore, an open discussion plenary session will offer an overview of the status of the Philippines’ seabed mining law and chart the path forward.
Expected results of the workshop
The workshop will be an opportunity to further the understanding of potential benefits for different stakeholders in the Philippines to increase participation in activities undertaken in the Area, advance technical capacities and contribute to sustainable development.
A workshop report will be synthesized post-event. This report will encapsulate expert presentation summaries and key insights from breakout sessions. These outcomes will contribute to enriching the discourse and forming a foundation for future engagement in activities in the Area.
Implementation
The workshop is jointly organized by the ISA Secretariat and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.
Contact information
For further information, contact:
- International Seabed Authority Margaret Koli, Programme Management Officer (Capacity Development) Email: mkoli@isa.org.jm
- Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Zoilo A. Velasco, Director, Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office (MOAO) Email: Zoilo.velasco@dfa.gov.ph
AGENDA
| DAY 1 | Monday, 9 October 2023 |
| 8:30 – 9:00
9:00 – 9:05
9:05 – 9:40 |
Registration
Welcome Remarks
Message
Opening Addresses · Mr. Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General, International Seabed Authority · Hon. Charles C. Jose, Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Republic of the Philippines
Group Photo |
| 9:40 – 10:00 | Coffee Break |
| Session I | Governance structure and mandate |
|
10:00 – 10:25
10:25 – 10:45
10:45 – 11:05
11:05 – 11:40 |
For each presentation, 15 mins will be allocated to the presentation itself allowing 5 mins Q&A session with the experts
The International Seabed Authority: Role, mandate and decision making (20 min) Dr. Marie Bourrel-McKinnon, Chief of Staff and Head of Strategic Planning Unit, ISA
The legal framework for activities in the Area: Transitioning from exploration to exploitation Dr. Erasmo Lara Cabrera, Chair, Legal and Technical Commission, ISA
The mechanism of “reserved areas”: Overview and practical implications Dr. Pedro Madureira, The Task Force for the Continental Shelf Extension Project, Portugal (EMEPC)
General discussion |
| 11:40 – 13:00 | Lunch Break |
| Session II | The use of deep-seabed minerals resources in support of Philippines’ national blue economy |
|
13:00 – 13:20
13:20 – 13:40
13:40 – 14:00 |
For each presentation, 15 mins will be allocated to the presentation itself allowing 5 mins Q&A session with the experts
Deep-seabed minerals – overview Prof. Mario Aurelio, Philippines, Legal and Technical Commission, ISA
Importance of deep seabed exploration to support the development of national blue economy: The case of Nauru Ms. Anastasia Francilia Adire, Legal Adviser, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Nauru to the United Nations
Importance of deep seabed exploration to support the development of national blue economy: The case of Philippines Mr. Rogel Santos, DENR-MGB |
| 14:00 – 14:20 | General discussion |
| 14:20 – 15:00 | Coffee break |
| 15:00 – 15:10 | General discussion on the mechanism of “reserved areas”: Overview and practical
implications Dr. Pedro Madureira, The Task Force for the Continental Shelf Extension Project, Portugal (EMEPC) |
| Session III | Role and responsibilities of Sponsoring States and Contractors |
|
15:10 – 15:30
15:30 – 15:50
15:50 – 16:10
16:10 – 16:30
16:30 – 16:50
16:50 – 17:10 |
For each presentation, 15 mins will be allocated to the presentation itself allowing 5 mins Q&A session with the experts
Status of exploration contracts Mr. Chapi Mwango, Compliance Assurance and Regulatory Management Unit (CARMU), ISA
Process of application, review and approval Mr. Chapi Mwango, CARMU, ISA
Role and responsibilities of Sponsoring States Ms. Talatu Akindolire, Legal Officer, ISA
Role and responsibilities of contractors Mr. Corey McLachlan, NORI
Contracts Management – The Philippine Prospect Ms. Myra Fiera F. Roa, OIC-Director III, Legal Services, Department of Energy
General discussion |
|
17:30 – 19:00 |
Cocktail reception hosted Government of The Philippines
Diamond Hotel Philippines |
| DAY 2 | Tuesday, 10 October 20233 |
| Session IV | Protection of the marine environment, marine scientific research and benefit sharing |
| For each presentation, 15 mins will be allocated to the presentation itself allowing 5 mins Q&A session with the experts | |
| 9:00 – 9:20
9:20 – 9:40 |
Effective protection of the marine environment from activities in the Area
Mr. Jose Dallo, Director, Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources (OEMMR), ISA
Regional environmental management planning in the Area Mr. Jose Dallo, Director, OEMMR, ISA |
| 9:40 – 10:00
10:00 – 10:20
10:20 – 10:40 |
Environmental obligations in DSM context, perspective of a contractor
Dr Samantha Smith, Head of Sustainability and External Relations, Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR)
The legal regime governing the conduct of marine scientific research in the Area Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon, Chief of Staff and Head of Strategic Planning Unit, ISA
General discussion |
| 10:40 – 11:00 | Coffee Break |
| Session IV | Protection of the marine environment, marine scientific research and benefit sharing (continued) |
|
11:00 – 11:20
11:20 – 11:40
11:40 – 12:00
12:00 – 12:20 |
For each presentation, 15 mins will be allocated to the presentation itself allowing 5 mins Q&A session with the experts
A global deep-sea research agenda – ISA MSR Action Plan in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science Mr. Jose Dallo, Director, OEMMR, ISA
Available data and role of ISA in sharing environmental information Mr. Jose Dallo, Director, OEMMR, ISA
Role of ISA in ensuring the equitable sharing of financial and other economic benefit from deep-seabed mining Mr. Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General, International Seabed Authority
MSR and Environmental Impacts: The Philippines Experience Dr. Charina Amedo-Repollo, Deputy Director for Research, Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines (UP-MSI) |
| 12:20 – 12:40 | General discussion |
| 12:40 – 14:00 | Lunch Break |
| Session V | Capacity development and training |
|
14:00 – 14:20 |
For each presentation, 15 mins will be allocated to the presentation itself allowing 5 mins Q&A session with the experts
Overview of capacity-building programmes and initiatives developed by ISA and way forward Ms. Margaret Koli, Programme Management Officer, Capacity Development, ISA |
| 14:20 – 14:40 | Perspective of former ISA trainees (5 min each)
1. Lorelie A. Burgos, 2016, Taxonomy workshop with IFREMER (PMN)- Remote 2. Christine Mae Edullantes, 2018, At sea & Post-cruise with BGR (PMN) 3. Jameal Magno, 2022, Virtual Theoretical Training Govt of India & At-Sea Engineering, NORI (PMN) 4. Keanu Jershon Sarmiento, 2019, At-Sea Training- Geology, PMS, COMRA |
|
14:40 – 15:00 |
General discussion |
| 15:00 – 15:20
15:20 – 15:40 |
Legal and regulatory framework for a UNCLOS-compliant legislation on deep seabed mining in the Philippines
Dr Jay Batongbacal, University of the Philippines, Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP-IMLOS)
General discussion |
| DAY 3 | Wednesday, 11 October 2023 | ||
| Session VI | Group Discussion | ||
| 9:00 – 9:15 | Introduction to group discussion and break-out groups (A, B, C) | ||
| Breakout Sessions | Group Discussion 1 | Group Discussion 2 | Group Discussion 3 |
| Discussion topic 1
What regulatory framework does the Philippines need to engage in deep seabed mining, to cover relevant activities and processes, from exploration and mining activities, to financing, fiscal incentives, environmental protection, and benefit sharing, among others? |
Discussion topic 2
Who are the key stakeholders in the Philippines for deep seabed mining, what is the current status of their capacity, and what do they need to be capacitated, and do they have the absorptive capacity to receive assistance? |
Discussion topic 3
How should the Philippines participate in the deep seabed mining regime – as sponsoring state, receiving state, participating in another sponsoring state – and what capacity does it need to undertake such a role? |
|
| Facilitator:
Mr. Jose Dallo, Director, Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources (OEMMR), ISA |
Facilitator:
Prof. Mario Aurelio, Philippines, Legal and Technical Commission, ISA |
Facilitator
Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon, Chief of Staff and Head of Strategic Planning Unit, ISA |
|
| Rapporteur:
Mr. Chapi Mwango, ISA |
Rapporteur:
Mr. Kristoff Ocampo, MOAO |
Rapporteur:
Ms. Margaret Koli, ISA |
|
| 9:15 – 10:00 | Group-A | Group-B | Group-C |
| 10:00 – 10:45 | Group-C | Group-A | Group-B |
| 10:45 – 11:30 | Group-B | Group-C | Group-A |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Coffee Break | ||
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Synthesis and recommendations from group discussion | ||
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch Break | ||
| Closing Remarks | |||
| 14:00 – 14:45 | · H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General, ISA
· Mr. Charles C. Jose, Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Republic of the Philippines End of workshop |
||