NEWS – The Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) commenced the first part of its 29th session at Kingston, Jamaica

INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY (ISA):

Establishment and Mandate:

• ISA is an autonomous international organization founded in 1994 to regulate mining activities in the international seabed beyond national jurisdiction, governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Scope and Jurisdiction:

• ISA oversees mineral-resource-related activities in the Area, which includes the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond national boundaries, for the benefit of humankind.

Headquarters and Membership:

• ISA is headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica, and has 169 Members as of May 2023, including 168 Member States and the European Union.

Functions:

• ISA grants licenses and regulates exploration and exploitation activities in the international seabed, ensuring environmental protection and equitable resource utilization.

Organizational Structure:

• The supreme authority is the assembly, setting policies and electing a 36-member council, responsible for executive functions and contract approvals.
• The council oversees UNCLOS implementation, establishes rules, and nominates the secretary-general for a four-year term.

Key Facts about UNCLOS:

• Legal Framework:
  • UNCLOS, effective since 1982, establishes a comprehensive legal regime for marine and maritime activities worldwide.
• Regulatory Framework:
  • It defines maritime zones, rights/responsibilities of coastal/flag states, marine resource conservation, environmental protection, and dispute settlement mechanisms.