The Secretariat

The Executive Office of the Secretary-General assists the Secretary-General in supervising and coordinating the work of the Secretariat under his or her executive direction and relevant directives of the Council and the Assembly.

The Executive Office is also responsible for protocol, liaison services, and communications and press support to the Secretary-General.

The Office of Legal Affairs is the central legal service of the Secretariat. It provides legal advice to the Secretary-General, the Secretariat and the other principal organs of ISA and their subsidiary bodies. In addition, it represents the Secretary-General in legal conferences and judicial proceedings.

The Office of Legal Affairs is also responsible for the Satya N. Nandan Library, the official documentation of ISA and for managing the provision of conference services for sessions of ISA.

The Contract Management Unit is the central administrative point of contact between contractors, sponsoring States and the Secretariat. The Unit processes applications for approval of plans of work for exploration or exploitation and for extensions of such contracts. It maintains a definitive central registry of contracts, in accordance with best international practice, and ensures the safe custody and confidentiality of all documents, data and information submitted in connection with such contracts and applications for approval of plans of work.

The Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources provides scientific and technical input into the development and implementation of the rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of activities in the Area. It also coordinates the collection, analysis and dissemination of geological, biological, environmental and technological data and information on the Area and its resources, including through the development and maintenance of ISA’s global database.

The Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources supports the development and implementation of regional environmental management plans, environmental impact assessment and environmental monitoring, and the development of environmental standards and guidelines. It also supports ISA’s work to promote and encourage the conduct of marine scientific research in the Area by developing collaborations with the Member States and international organizations and disseminating the results of scientific research and analysis.

The Office of Administrative Services provides general administrative and management support to the Secretariat. Its functions include financial management and control, preparation of proposed budgets, assessment of Member States’ contributions, recruitment of staff and contractors, procurement of goods and services, personnel management and security.