INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY (ISA)

Copyright infringement not intended

Picture Courtesy: https://gazettengr.com/blue-economy-international-seabed-authority-restates-support-to-nigeria-others/

Context: The International Seabed Authority (ISA) recently started its 29th session, which will last from March 18th to March 29th, 2024. The main purpose of this session is to continue discussions and make progress in finalising legislation for mining mineral resources in the international seabed.

Details

• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is a specialised organisation established according to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement on the Implementation of UNCLOS Part XI (1994 Agreement).
• Its primary objective of ISA is to control and manage mineral resource activities on the international seabed (referred to as "the Area") for the benefit of humanity as a whole.
• UNCLOS entrusts ISA with the role of organising and overseeing mineral resource operations in the Area, ensuring that these activities benefit all nations while protecting the marine environment from harm.
• ISA operates independently and is headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica.
• According to Article 156(2) of the UNCLOS, all UNCLOS parties are automatically members of ISA. As of 2023, ISA has 169 members, including 168 Member States and the EU.
• India became a member of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1994.

Must Read Articles:

INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/international-seabed-authority