Kingston, Jamaica (27 August 2026) – The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority held the 5th Virtual Meeting of National Focal Points for Capacity Development (NAFOP-CD) on 27 August 2026. Key results achieved over the past year through the organization’s capacity-building initiatives and a needs assessment survey were presented during the online meeting.
Currently, 118 individuals from 92 countries are registered as national focal points and are responsible for liaising with the Secretariat on capacity-development matters, including participants from Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries. The virtual meeting was attended by 36 NAFOP-CD representatives, and the presentations were shared with the entire network.
The virtual event was opened by Madam Secretary-General of the ISA, who gave a warm welcome to participants. During her remarks, Leticia Carvalho highlighted the “quiet”, but essential nature of the work carried out by the national focal points:
“Much of what you do happens quietly. You ensure that information reaches the appropriate institutions. You help identify the experts who can benefit from an opportunity. You bring national priorities to the attention of the Secretariat and help sustain engagement long after a meeting or training programme has ended. This work is not always visible, but it is essential. I want to thank you sincerely for it.”, she observed.
Leticia Carvalho stated that the role of national focal points goes beyond facilitating the exchange of information, because they also “help ensure that the future direction of our capacity development work is informed by the realities, ambitions and priorities of Member States.”
Among the key capacity-building results achieved during the first half of year 2026 and presented during the meeting was the continued implementation of a diverse range of programmes aimed at strengthening participation in the work of the ISA across diverse regional groups. The inauguration of the African Academy for Deep-Sea Diplomacy (ADSEA) in February 2026 strengthened the legal and policy expertise of a total of 26 participants from 16 African States, which. In the Asia and Pacific region, the Pacific SIDS Regional Workshop on Deep Seabed Sustainable Blue Growth Initiative held in Fiji in April 2026 continued to support engagement and capacity development for Pacific SIDS. Moreover, the training session by ISA-China Joint Training and Research Centre in May 2026 advanced understanding and knowledge sharing on cumulative impact assessments. For the CARICOM, the CaribISA roadmap continues to guide cooperation between the Authority and Caribbean States, with a second workshop scheduled for May 2027.
Madam Secretary-General also highlighted the upcoming training session to be held by ISA-Egypt JTRC on the scientific and technical aspects related to regional environmental management planning in the Area, with a focus on the Indian Ocean, starting on 20 September in Alexandria, Egypt, as well as the global workshop concerning the participation of Landlocked Developing Countries in the regime of the Area and benefit-sharing mechanism, scheduled for October 2026 in Bolivia.
The meeting featured a presentation on the needs assessment survey, which will provide an updated overview of capacity-development needs and priorities of the developing member States across national, legal, scientific and regulatory areas. National Focal Points and other representatives of member States are invited to submit their responses by 27 October 2026.
During the virtual meeting, the Secretariat also presented its outreach efforts in support of capacity development as well as forthcoming capacity development workshops and events, including the Contractors Training Programme, the See Her Exceed (SHE), the Deep Dive e-learning platform – with nine cohorts completed to date, and almost 350 “divers” enrolled, as well as other projects and initiatives supported by ISA Partnership Fund.
The 5th Meeting of National Focal Points for Capacity Development has reaffirmed the importance of this network and the value of coming together to reflect on progress and shape the collective path forward. The discussions held will help further strengthen the capacitydevelopment programmes of the Authority by remaining responsive to the evolving needs and aspirations of Member States.
About NAFOP – CD
The ISA Secretariat keeps National Focal Points up to date on activities undertaken in cooperation with them on capacity-building and capacity development; maintaining a continuous, two-way flow of information with member States. The Secretariat conducts annual virtual meetings with National Focal Points to fulfil this obligation.
The Secretariat is required to conduct regular needs assessments with Member States, including an overall review at least once every five years, in line with the ISA Capacity Development Strategy. The Secretariat periodically conducts needs assessment exercises, e.g. through workshops, including targeted need assessment exercises for different groups.
About ISA
ISA is an autonomous intergovernmental organization mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 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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ISA Communications Unit, news@isa.org.jm