Kingston, Jamaica (16 October 2026) – The International Seabed Authority is launching the 2nd campaign for the International Day of the Deep Seabed, to be celebrated on 1 November 2026.
The International Day of the Deep Seabed (IDDS) is an annual observance established by the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority in July 2025. Proposed by the Governments of Fiji, Jamaica, Malta and Singapore, the date commemorates Ambassador Arvin Pardo’s (Malta) historic 1967 speech before the UN General Assembly, when he declared that the deep-seabed resources are the common heritage of humankind. It also celebrates the enduring spirit of multilateral cooperation that defines the Law of the Sea.
The thematic focus for the 2026 observance is “1,000 Reasons to: Discover. Share. Use.” The campaign focuses on deep-sea science and taxonomy and highlights how scientific discovery, knowledge-sharing, capacity development and international cooperation contribute to better understanding and responsible stewardship of the deep seabed.
The campaign is anchored in ISA’s Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative (SSKI) and its One Thousand Reasons (1,000) Reasons) campaign, which supports international efforts to expand knowledge and describe at least 1,000 new deep-sea species by 2030.
The 2026 International Day begins a wider period of engagement through 2027, building towards the 60th anniversary of Pardo’s historic 1967 address on 1 November, to the United Nations and creating opportunities throughout the year to showcase progress, strengthen partnerships and broaden participation. The campaign asks all stakeholders to Commemorate the day and celebrate the year.
The International Seabed Authority invites all stakeholders and the public to explore its Campaign Toolkit, featuring resources to help participation in the celebrations and amplify the campaign’s reach.
Visit the IDDS website to discover all about this year´s celebrations, as well as inspiring stories of scientists and taxonomists whose research is uncovering, identifying and naming new species from the deep seabed, advancing our understanding of marine biodiversity.
Help ISA spread the word: Follow the campaign on ISA’s LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook accounts. Share our content, engage with the stories, and help bring the wonders of deep-sea science to a wider audience.
About ISA
The International Seabed Authority is an autonomous intergovernmental organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to organize, regulate and control activities in the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for the benefit of humankind as a whole. ISA is committed to ensuring that all activities in the deep seabed are carried out responsibly, using the best available scientific evidence and in accordance with the principle of the common heritage of humankind.
For media inquiries, please contact:
ISA Communications Unit, news@isa.org.jm