Kingston, Jamaica – 27 March 2026 – As I enter year two of my tenure as ISA Secretary-General, I feel that 2026 is off to a promising start, combining focused ambition, a spirit of collaboration, and principled pragmatism. These principles are guiding my engagement with Member States and how I am organizing the work of the Secretariat.  This aim is part of a broader effort to explain why we consider the framework ready for consolidation to ensure that the ISA can deliver its unique role as guardian and steward of the deep seabed. The focus is on coalescing progress towards completion of the legal framework to make the system operational and coherent, delivering for multilateralism and the promise of the common heritage of humankind. Just having closed Part One of the 31^st Session, I firmly believe that we saw these principles playing out in the negotiations and I am very pleased with the progress made. Please read my Council closing remarks here.

Kingston, Jamaica – 6 March 2026 – The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has concluded the first part of the work of the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC), which convened between 23 February and 6 March 2026. The LTC, which brings together legal, technical and scientific expertise to advise the Council, advances discussions and makes recommendations on the exercise of ISA functions, including rules, regulations and procedures, exploration contracts and environmental management.