ISA and partners join hands at the 4th SIDS Conference to discuss strategic partnerships and cooperation for leveraging SIDS knowledge, technology, innovation and capacity to advance deep-sea research for the benefit of humanity

St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda—On Monday, 27 May 2024, in the margins of the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the International Seabed Authority (ISA) welcomed representatives of governments, international and regional organizations and academia in a side event to discuss “Leveraging SIDS knowledge, technology, innovation and capacity to advance deep-sea research for the benefit of humanity.”

High-level visit of ISA Secretary-General to Antigua and Barbuda ahead of the 4th UN SIDS Conference reinforces programmatic action for enhanced marine scientific capacities towards sustainable development of ocean economies

The Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, met with H.E. the Honourable Mr. Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, on 24 May 2024 in Antigua and Barbuda. The meeting was the opportunity to discuss the ongoing and productive engagement of Antigua and Barbuda in the work of ISA and in support of ocean governance in general.

ISA Secretary-General concludes strategic visit to Cameroon with significant advancements for ocean diplomacy and strengthened regional cooperation

The Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, concluded a five-day visit to Cameroon on Tuesday, 21 May. The visit marked a significant stride in deepening cooperation between Cameroon and ISA on matters relating to ocean affairs and diplomacy in support of sustainable management of the Area and its resources.

Message of the ISA Secretary-General to commemorate International Day of Biological Diversity

On the International Day of Biological Diversity, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) celebrates the rich biodiversity of the ocean depths and highlights the crucial role of deep-sea research in operationalizing the unique mandate it has been assigned by the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea to act as steward of the Area and its resources for the benefit of all humanity.

ISA and IRIC sign a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the first-ever African Academy for Deep-Sea Diplomacy in Cameroon

In a significant stride towards fostering international cooperation and expertise in international law of the sea with a specific emphasis on the legal regime of deep-sea activities in the international seabed area (the Area), the International Seabed Authority (ISA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC), establishing the first-ever African Academy for Deep-Sea Diplomacy (ADSEA). The signing ceremony took place on Friday, 17 May 2024, in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Selection of Candidates for the Government of the Republic of Korea 2024 Training Programme

On 13 May 2024, the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) confirmed the selection of four candidates from developing countries to benefit from training opportunities offered by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea (MOF-ROK) in accordance with its obligations under the exploration contract for in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone signed with ISA in 2001.

The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority and the Japanese Ocean Mining Industry Promotion Roundtable join hands to advance technology and innovation in deep-sea research

Today, the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, and the Chairman of the Ocean Mining Industry Promotion Roundtable, Mr. Nobuaki Aoyama, signed a letter of cooperation to foster the relationship between the two institutions on strategic areas of mutual interest.

Join the celebration of ISA’s 30th Anniversary and contribute to the stewardships of the Area and its resources for humankind

The International Seabed Authority Partnership Fund (ISAPF), a multi-donor trust fund, was created to mobilize transformative partnerships and financial support for the implementation of the global deep-sea research agenda adopted unanimously by all ISA members in 2020 in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (Action Plan for Marine Scientific Research in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development) and to contribute to dedicated capacity development programmes and activities aligned with the priority needs identified by developing States Members of ISA through the 2022 ISA Capacity Development Strategy.

Beijing Pioneer Hi-Tech Development Corporation Ltd. launches stakeholder consultation on environmental impact statement for polymetallic nodule mining component test

Beijing Pioneer Hi-Tech Development Corporation Ltd. (BPC), an exploration contractor sponsored by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, has informed the Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) of the launch of a stakeholder consultation on the environmental impact statement (EIS) prepared for the testing of its polymetallic nodule mining component. BPC signed its 15-year exploration contract with ISA for the exploration of polymetallic nodules in the Western Pacific Ocean on 18 October 2019.