The second edition of the Deep Sea Dialogues brought together experts, observers and civil society organizations for an afternoon of rich conversations at the Institute of Jamaica in Kingston.
Organized by the Oceano Azul Foundation, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy, with the support of the International Seabed Authority, the event on Saturday, 25 July, explored three pillars of the ISA’s mandate: deep-sea science, economics and the governance of the Area—covering approximately 54 per cent of the world’s oceans and whose resources are the common heritage of humankind.
During the first panel, participants heard from Dr. Noémie Wouters, Programme Coordinator for Marine Scientific Research at the ISA. Joining live from aboard the R/V Falkor (too) near Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Diva Amon and Professor Anna Metaxas took the audience into a tour of their work onboard collecting samples from the deep sea.
The second panel focused on the economics of deep-sea mining, with presentations by Mr. Johnny West, Principal at Koinon Consulting, and Mr. Bryan Bille, Lead Policy and Geopolitical Analyst at Benchmark. The audience also heard a discussion on the ISA and recent developments in ocean governance, featuring a third panel discussion with Mr. Pradeep Singh, Senior Project Lead for International Advocacy at the Oceano Azul Foundation, Mr. Alberto Pecoraro, Assistant Professor at Maqsut Narikbayev University, (Kazakhstan) and Ms. Aline Jaeckel, Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong (Australia).
Madam Secretary-General of the ISA, Leticia Carvalho, closed the Dialogues by highlighting the importance of sustained engagement:
“Consensus is built over time: through formal negotiations, bilateral exchanges, technical work and conversations such as the Deep Sea Dialogues.”
She also recognized the valuable contribution of observers and civil society organizations, whose “research, expertise, questions and constructive engagement across disciplines enrich the work of the ISA.”
The afternoon concluded with a reception focused on Underwater Cultural Heritage, organized by TBA21 and the Institute of Jamaica. The gathering brought together Indigenous representatives from Jamaica and Pacific Islands to share knowledge rooted in lived experience, intergenerational traditions and the enduring practice of ocean stewardship.
On her welcoming remarks at the reception, the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport of Jamaica, H.E. Ms. Olivia Grange, declared: that “the government of Jamaica recognizes that safeguarding underwater cultural heritage requires collaboration. It requires innovation and knowledge sharing. It requires partnerships and initiatives such as these dialogues to strengthen our capacity to research, document, and protect these important cultural resources for future generations.”
Madam Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho also shared her remarks, stating that “Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities have practiced stewardship grounded in reciprocity for generations,” also affirming that it is her hope that their “growing engagement with the ISA signals that the openness and inclusivity we are working to ensure are bearing fruit.”
The evening closed with a panel of Indigenous leaders emphasizing that fulfilling the promise of the common heritage of humankind requires recognizing Indigenous knowledge systems as an integral part of the conversation. They also called for the inclusion of a fourth pillar, culture, alongside science, economics and law.
Speakers included Mr. Clement Yow Mulalap, Legal Adviser at the Permanent Mission of the Federated States of Micronesia to the United Nations and Chair of the ISA Intersessional Working Group on Underwater Cultural Heritage, Mr. Solomon Pili Kahoʻohalahala (“Uncle Sol”), Indigenous leader from Maui and representative of the Maui Nui Makai Network, Gaanman Gloria Simms (“Mama G”), Maroon elder and Paramount Chieftainess of the Diaspora Maroons (Jamaica) and Kasike Kalaan Nibonrix Kaiman, appointed Chief and Medicine Man (Behike) of the Yukayeke Yamaye Guani (Jamaican Hummingbird Taino People). Closing remarks were delivered by Mr. Jonathan Greenland, Director of the National Museum Jamaica.
