New horizons during the 29th session of the International Seabed Authority

Author: Julia Schutz Veiga

The 29th session occurred from 15 July to 2 August – the Council took place from 15 to 26 July, and the Assembly from 29 July to 2 August. The Ocean Voices visiting fellow Julia Schutz Veiga was invited to the Brazilian delegation as an advisor. Schutz-Veiga had the opportunity to experience one of the ISA’s most essential moments since its establishment: the vote for the new director-general and the debate on establishing general environmental policies. In addition, OCEANS20 – a non-state actor in the G20 process, which represents civil society within the scope of the 20 largest economies of the world – organised a seminar on 1 August. The commentators held a high-level discussion on the environmental, economic and legal aspects of deep-sea mining, with Schutz-Veiga moderating the panel “Economic and Legal Aspects of deep-sea mining”.

Featuring researchers such as Pradeep Singh (Fellow at the Research Institute for Sustainability in Potsdam, Germany) and Maila Guilhon (Ocean Voices Programme Fellow), as well as diplomat Tamara Thomas (Seychelles) and Ana Flavia Barros Platiau (University of Brasilia, Brazil), the panellists put forward some recommendations to be worked on within the framework of the G20. In general terms, the commentators reinforced the need for a pause to deepen scientific research into the potential impacts of deep-sea mining on the marine environment. Also, they emphasised the importance of accurate political-economic studies into the interrelationship between economic development and sustainability.

More specifically, the commentators affirmed the relevant role of the G20 in promoting scientific research and innovation, particularly in facilitating the exchange of information and data between stakeholders (e.g. ISA and companies). This strengthening of the exchange of information and data potentially develops the capacities of states, taking particular account of developing states by boosting their institutional and governmental capacities. The commentators attest that promoting international collaboration and strengthening the capacities of developing states will promote better ocean governance, ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. 

Finally, the panellists advocated for robust legal frameworks, which reflect explicit provisions for (1) mobilising and operationalising funding, particularly for developing states to improve their capacities, (2) mechanisms for sharing benefits arising from access to and utilisation of mineral resources and (3) strong and mandatory rules on environmental impact assessments.

The next ISA session is scheduled for the first half of 2025, by which time the body will be under the direction of oceanographer Letícia de Oliveira, who was elected with 73 votes on 2 August.

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