The International Seabed Authority (ISA) released today additional standards and guidelines for stakeholder consultation for a period of 60 days, until 7 June 2021 3 July2021.

The standards and guidelines are designed to complement the draft regulations for the exploitation of mineral resources in the international seabed area (the Area), which are currently being developed by ISA. The standards and guidelines are being produced following a three-phased approach.

Nominations are open for the Third Edition of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Secretary-General’s Award for Excellence in Deep-Sea Research.

Launched at the ISA Assembly in July 2018, the Award recognizes and encourages the achievements of young researchers from developing countries who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge of the deep-sea environment, or to the development of environmentally sustainable regulatory frameworks. This unique initiative is sponsored by Monaco and Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd (TOML).

The Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) finalized on 30 April 2021 the selection of candidates for two at-sea training opportunities provided by Marawa Research and Exploration Ltd. in accordance with its obligations under its exploration contracts for polymetallic nodules with ISA.

The two selected candidates are:

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is now receiving applications for three scholarship opportunities provided by Nauru Ocean Resources Inc (NORI) and Marawa Research and Exploration Ltd in accordance with their obligations under their respective exploration contracts for polymetallic nodules with ISA.

All three scholarships are for candidates from developing States Members of ISA to attend the University of the South Pacific at its campus in Fiji, with a starting date of January 2022.

NORI is offering:

Today, the Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Edward Aníbal Pérez Reyes, presented his credentials to ISA Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, during a ceremony held in Kingston, Jamaica.

Ambassador Pérez is a career diplomat with over fifteen years of experience at the service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of his country. He was designated Permanent Representative to ISA on 16 September 2020.

Yesterday, the Permanent Representative of Italy to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and to the United Nations, H.E. Ms. Mariangela Zappia, presented her credentials to ISA Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, during a virtual ceremony.

Ambassador Zappia is a career diplomat with over thirty years of experience. She has been Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations in New York since August 2018 and became Permanent Representative to ISA on 17 April 2021.

On 19 and 22 April 2021, the Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) held the fourth annual meeting of exploration contractors to discuss issues of common interest and key areas of work relevant to contractors.

Blue Minerals Jamaica Ltd. (BMJ) and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) have signed on 16 March 2021 a 15-year contract for the exploration of polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean. The contract, which came into force on 4 April, marks the starting point of BMJ initial 5-year workplan, which will focus on exploration of its license area as well as setting the baseline for its environmental planning.

The first meeting of the National Focal Points in charge of liaising with the Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) on matters relating to capacity development (NAFOP-CD) concluded today.

The Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) finalized on 13 April 2021 the selection of candidates for three training opportunities offered by Global Sea Mineral Resources NV (GSR) in accordance with its obligations under its exploration contracts for polymetallic nodules with ISA.

The Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) adopted on 30 March a decision to extend by one-year the terms of office of the current members of the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC), such that they will expire on 31 December 2022.

This decision was made on an exceptional basis, owing to the unprecedented circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which impeded progress on the on-going negotiations on the mechanism to govern the next elections of LTC members.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has launched two art competitions to celebrate the deep sea on World Oceans Day 2021. World Ocean Day takes place on 8 June each year as a global celebration of the ocean, marine life and all ocean activities. World Oceans Day was first declared at the 1992 Global Forum in Rio de Janeiro, with the aim to bring the ocean to the center of global discussions and policy decision-making processes, and to strengthen the voice of ocean and coastal constituencies worldwide.

Today, the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has resumed its meetings under the 26^th session.

Mr Harald Brekke from Norway was elected as Chair of the LTC.

Members of the LTC will meet remotely between 22 March and 1 July 2021.

Applications are now open for two at-sea training opportunities for candidates from developing States members of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The placements are provided by Marawa Research and Exploration Ltd (Kiribati), in accordance with its obligations under its exploration contract for polymetallic nodules with ISA.

Today, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), successfully concluded a high-level webinar focused on the enhancement of the role and participation of women in deep-sea research organized on the occasion of International Women’s Day.