Nice, France – 11 June 2025 – The International Seabed Authority (ISA) launched the Deep-Sea Biobank Initiative (DBI) to enhance access to deep-sea biological samples and genetic data collected from the international seabed area beyond national jurisdiction (the Area). The DBI was announced on the margins of the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, during a high-level event that brought together government leaders, regional and international organizations, scientists and private companies.
The DBI is designed to promote deep-sea research and inclusive scientific collaboration, particularly for developing States. It will establish a global repository of deep-sea biological samples accessible for research and capacity-development activities. It will also develop standard operating procedures for sampling, processing and sharing biological samples and genetic data from the Area to enhance data quality, sharing and use by stakeholders.
“The ISA DBI is a tangible example of what meaningful collaboration looks like, where samples and data are shared, capacities are built and the benefits of deep-sea science are made available to all humankind,” said Hon. Mr. Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands.
“The DBI is ISA’s response to a growing need to advance research, share data, build capacity and facilitate access to deep-sea knowledge, particularly for developing States,” said Madam Secretary-General of ISA, Ms. Leticia Carvalho. “Through DBI, we aim to create standardized and equitable pathways for scientific collaboration, empowering countries and institutions to explore, understand and protect the ocean’s most remote ecosystems.”
In April 2025, during the tenth Our Ocean Conference in Busan, Republic of Korea, the ISA Secretariat and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea signed a letter of cooperation confirming their collaboration on DBI implementation.
“Moving forward, the Republic of Korea will actively contribute to developing the standard operating procedures for sample collection, storage, research and data processing,” said Mr. Sungbum Kim, Deputy Minister for Marine Policy, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Republic of Korea. “We will also support the operation of the DBI, which ensures secure storage, effective management and equitable access to these valuable samples. I sincerely hope that many of you here today will join us in advancing this vision,” he added.
Other country representatives further supported the importance of the DBI in advancing equitable ocean governance.
Zimbabwe’s commitment to support the development of the DBI was affirmed by H.E. Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife of the Republic of Zimbabwe, stating, “The establishment of the DBI marks a pioneering step in promoting equitable access to marine scientific resources. More than a repository of deep-sea biological samples, the DBI is a bridge between science, policy and inclusive development.”
H.E. Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, India, highlighted that “Facilitating access to deep-sea biological samples and genetic data is a significant step forward in promoting deep-sea research and scientific capacity of diverse stakeholders. The DBI demonstrates ISA’s consistent efforts to establish a robust scientific basis and ensure the work of ISA benefits all humankind.”
Recognizing the need to facilitate equitable global access to deep-sea biological samples and genetic data, especially for developing States, Commodore Sheikh Mahmudul Hassan (Retd), Additional Secretary, Head of Maritime Affairs Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh, stated, “Establishment of the DBI responds directly to key priorities identified by many Member States, including Bangladesh, namely the need for inclusive research opportunities, standardization of scientific procedures and meaningful capacity-building mechanisms.”
In her closing remarks, Ms. Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with ISA. “We will continue to strengthen our collaboration with ISA in the pursuit of peace with nature across the ocean, including the seabed, which is critical to life below water and beyond. We look forward to seeing how the ISA DBI will improve the management of the deep sea and enhance collective capacity for ocean science and governance,” she said.
The DBI marks a new chapter in ISA’s work to foster science-based decision-making, build global research capacity and ensure the Area and its resources remain a shared heritage for the benefit of all humankind.
About the International Seabed Authority
The International Seabed Authority is an autonomous intergovernmental organization mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to manage the mineral resources of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for the shared benefit of humankind. The International Seabed Authority is committed to ensuring that all economic activities in the deep seabed, including mining, are regulated and responsibly managed using the best available scientific evidence for the benefit of all humankind.
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