Highlights and images for 26 July 2024

On the last day of the second part of the 29th session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council, delegates focused on: progress towards the draft exploitation regulations for deep-sea mining and next steps; the Finance Committee’s recommendations and ISA budget for the next biennium; and the Council decision relating to the reports of the Chair of the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC).

Discussions will continue next week in the Assembly, which will need to agree on, among other issues, the outstanding budget for 2025-2026 and decide on ISA’s leadership, holding elections for the position of Secretary-General.

In the morning of the final day, the ISA Council reverted to discussing the Finance Committee report, including its recommendations and the proposed budget for 2025-2026.

ISA Secretary-General Michael Lodge and Khurshed Alam (Bangladesh), Chair of the Finance Committee, responded to delegates’ questions and comments from the session on Thursday, 25 July.

They provided clarifications on items including, but not limited to:

• the process for developing the budgetary proposal and the delay in uploading the translated documents;
• reclassification of Secretariat posts and air travel standards; and
• overspending for 2023, stressing that any budget deviations need to be addressed at the end of the financial period.

Secretary-General Lodge emphasized that requests on the format for reporting on the use of the Voluntary Trust Fund, staffing tables, and travel expenditure will be implemented. He noted media questions on the budget discussion, stressing that “media leaking has to come to an end.”

A regional group and several members supported forwarding to the Assembly the Finance Committee's recommendations and the proposed budget for 2025-2026, recommending their adoption.

A couple of delegates noted that they were not in a position to approve the recommendations on the Finance Committee report and forward them to the Assembly, in particular the proposed budget and the recommendation on the payment of financial contributions by observers.

Following lengthy discussions into the evening, delegates agreed to submit the budget to the Assembly for further consideration and approval. In the final decision, delegates decided to remove the recommendation that financial contributions by observers should be considered.

During the day, delegates heard reports on progress from co-facilitators of working groups, including on thematic discussions on: equalization measures; underwater cultural heritage; effective control; and the protection and preservation of the marine environment.

President Myklebust then suggested the adoption of a 2024-2025 roadmap, including a proposal for a third Council meeting in November 2024.

Some delegates expressed their support, noting the progress made during the ongoing 29th session of the ISA and the importance of maintaining this momentum. Others opposed holding a third meeting in 2024 due to financial and personnel constraints, also noting the limited time delegates would have to consider and comment on the revised version of the consolidated text. Some delegates expressed flexibility.

Following discussions, delegates adopted an alternate 2024-2025 roadmap that encourages intersessional work and the submission of written comments in lieu of a November meeting. President Myklebust noted that a revised version of the consolidated text will be available in November 2024. The 30th annual session of the ISA will be held in March and July 2025.

The ISA Council further:

• adopted a decision relating to the reports of the Chair of the LTC;
• approved a plan of work for exploration for polymetallic sulphides by the Earth System Science Organization, Ministry of Earth Sciences, India;
• took note of the LTC report;
• took note of three reports on relinquishment of areas under exploration contracts; and
• took note of the LTC report relating to an application for approval of a plan of work for exploration for cobalt rich-ferromanganese crusts by Earth System Science Organization, Ministry of Earth Sciences, India.

On the election of the Secretary-General, two nominations were put forward: Leticia Carvalho, sponsored by Brazil, and incumbent Michael Lodge, sponsored by Kiribati. The Council unanimously agreed to forward the list of candidates to the Assembly.

Council President Olav Myklebust (Norway) thanked all delegates and participants for their hard work in a productive session and gaveled the meeting to a close at 8:44 pm.