Busan, Republic of Korea – 21 May 2026 – A four-day workshop on the development of a Regional Environmental Management Plan (REMP) for the Area of the Northwest Pacific Ocean concluded today in Busan, Republic of Korea. Convened by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in partnership with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea (MOF) and the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), the workshop brought together 30 international participants nominated by ISA members, Contractors, observers, and other stakeholders. Six members of the ISA’s Legal and Technical Commission served as co-chairs and facilitators of the deliberations.
Mr. José Dallo, Director of ISA’s Office for Stewardship, Environment, and Resources, opened the workshop on behalf of the ISA Secretariat, where he highlighted the ISA’s mandate and the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Mr. Dallo noted that the Council’s adoption of a standardized procedure for REMPs during the 30th Session in July 2025 reflects the importance member States attach to the REMPs as a key instrument for implementing ISA’s mandate. Mr. Dallo stated that this workshop is an important step in completing the REMP for the Northwest Pacific Ocean by the Legal and Technical Commission, and highlighted active ongoing collaboration with other international and regional organizations in ISA’s REMP process.
Mr. Minseok Lee, Director of the Marine Development Division at the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, placed the workshop in the context of converging global pressures. Mr. Lee stated that, “The international community faces the dual challenge of securing a stable supply of critical minerals while safeguarding the marine environment amid the global efforts toward carbon neutrality and the energy transition.” Mr. Lee highlighted that the region’s “unique ecological and geological characteristics, as well as its significant resource potential, call for an especially balanced and responsible approach.”
Mr. Dong-Jin Kang, Vice President of KIOST, drew attention to the collective need for cooperation and knowledge sharing. Mr. Kang stated that the western Pacific Ocean is recognized as a region of significant resource potential due to the concentration of exploration contract areas for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts. He emphasized that, “This workshop provides a valuable opportunity for stakeholders from diverse sectors to exchange views on the environmental characteristics and management priorities of the western Pacific region and to strengthen cooperation for sustainable deep-sea activities.”
Participants exchanged views and perspectives on several topics, including regional objectives, management measures, and priorities for implementation and review, as proposed under the draft REMP for the Northwest Pacific Ocean, where four ISA exploration contracts for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, and one for polymetallic nodules, are located. The results of this workshop are summarized in the workshop report and will be considered by the Legal and Technical Commission in its meeting in July 2026, as it continues to advance the REMPs for the Northwest Pacific Ocean and other priority areas.
About ISA
ISA is an autonomous intergovernmental organization mandated by the UNCLOS to manage the mineral resources of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for the shared benefit of humankind. ISA is committed to ensuring that all economic activities in the deep seabed, including mining, are regulated and responsibly managed using the best available scientific evidence for the benefit of all humankind.
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