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As of April 2020, ISA has 92 observers, including 30 observer States, 32 intergovernmental organizations and 30 non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The ISA Assembly may grant observer status to entities in line with rule 82 of its Rules of Procedure, and, where appropriate, the Guidelines for observer status of non-governmental organizations with ISA (Annex, ISBA/25/A/16).
Observers are allowed to participate in the work of the Assembly and the Council, with the limitations outlined below, and in the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly as well as the Rules of Procedures of the Council.
How do Observers participate in the work of ISA?
- Observer States may participate in the deliberations of the Assembly, but are not entitled to participate in the taking of decisions.
- Observers from the United Nations and its specialized agencies, and other intergovernmental organizations may participate in the deliberations of the Assembly if invited by the President on questions within the scope of their competence.
- NGO Observers may sit at public meetings of the Assembly and, upon invitation from the President and subject to approval by the Assembly, may make oral statements on questions within the scope of their activities. Written statements submitted by NGO observers within the scope of their activities which are relevant to the work of the Assembly should be made available by the Secretariat in the quantities in the languages in which the statements are submitted.
- All observers of ISA may designate representatives to participate, without the right to vote, in the deliberations of the Council, upon the invitation of the Council, on questions affecting them or within the scope of their activities.