Highlights for Wednesday, 25 July 2018

On Wednesday, 25 July, the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) addressed the draft strategic plan for the next five years, focusing on:

• the operationalization of the common heritage of humankind;
• the protection of the marine environment;
• monitoring and review; and
• international cooperation.

For extensive details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

Highlights for Tuesday, 24 July 2018

On Tuesday, 24 July, the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) discussed the report of the ISA Secretary-General, with statements focusing on:

• progress in the development of the exploitation regulations and the implementation of the common heritage of humankind;
• the protection of the marine environment, including through international cooperation; and
• marine scientific research, capacity building and training.

For extensive details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

Highlights for Monday, 23 July 2018

On Monday, 23 July, the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) opened and discussed:

• the possible development of guidelines on observers; and
• the report of the President of the Council.

In the afternoon, the Assembly heard the report of the ISA Secretary-General and witnessed the award of the inaugural Secretary-General’s Award for Excellence in Deep-sea Research.

For extensive details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

Highlights for Friday, 20 July 2018

On Friday, 20 July, the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) discussed:

• an outstanding issue in the proposed budget for 2019-2020;
• the operationalization of the Enterprise;
• the way forward on the development of the payment system and the draft exploitation regulations; and
• a German submission on facilitating the work of the ISA.

The Council adopted a decision on the report of the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) and President Myklebust drew the meeting to a close at 5:50pm.

For extensive details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

Highlights for Thursday, 19 July 2018

On Thursday, 19 July, the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) discussed:

• the report of the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) for 2018;
• contractors’ compliance issues;
• a submission from the Netherlands on measures to protect the marine environment in areas beyond national jurisdiction;
• the report of the Finance Committee; and
• the budget.

For extensive details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

Highlights for Wednesday, 18 July 2018

On Wednesday, 18 July, the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) continued discussing the draft exploitation regulations, part by part, as well as focusing on matters requiring the Council’s direction that were identified by the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC). Discussions focused on:

• the overall balance of contractors’ rights and obligations;
• the balance between certainty and flexibility;
• the balance of authority among ISA organs;
• protection of the marine environment; and
• confidentiality of information.

For extensive details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

Highlights for Tuesday, 17 July 2018

On Tuesday, 17 July, the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) addressed:

• national legislation on deep-seabed mining;
• the first joint meeting of the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) and the Finance Committee; and
• a revised draft of the exploitation regulations.

On the revised draft regulations, discussions focused on:

• preamble;
• fundamental principles;
• applications for approval of plans of work in the form of contracts; and
• rights and obligations of contractors.

For extensive details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

Highlights for Monday, 16 July 2018

On Monday, 16 July, the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) opened for the second part of the 24th Session in Kingston, Jamaica. Following administrative matters, the Council addressed in an informal format the financial model under the draft exploitation regulations, focusing on:

• options for a financial payment system for polymetallic nodules;
• implementing the common heritage principle in the context of the payment system; and
• the inclusion of environmental costs in the payment system.

For extensive details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin.