Source: Highlights and images for 18 March 2024
The work of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has been attracting increasing attention over the last few years. On the one hand, there is mounting pressure to expedite the development of exploitation regulations for deep-sea mining, which some ISA members are keen to pursue. On the other hand, an increasing number of countries have called for a precautionary pause or moratorium, highlighting the need for sufficient scientific evidence on the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining. Many delegates and observers consider the 29th annual session of the ISA as pivotal for the future of deep-sea mining.
President Juan José González Mijares, Mexico, opened the meeting, highlighting the consolidated document of the exploitation regulations as a basis for negotiations. He informed the Council that Tonga temporarily relinquished its position on the Council for 2024 in favor of Nauru.
ISA Secretary-General Michael Lodge considered the consolidated text a milestone that provides the opportunity to identify remaining aspects of the exploitation regulations that require further work
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