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Summary report 19–22 March 2001
2nd Meeting of the CBD Experts’ Panel on Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS 2)
Highlights and images for 26 March 2019
Twenty-five Years of ISA’s Contribution to Deep-Sea Marine Scientific Research and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)
Family photo at the end of the event
2019 marks the 25th anniversary of the formal establishment of the International Seabed Authority (ISA or the Authority) and this side event was convened to take stock of the environmental work of the Authority. The ISA is the sole organization with the mandate to develop measures to protect the marine environment from harmful effects which may arise from activities in “the Area.” The Area, which covers the seabed, ocean floor and the subsoil, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, is defined under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the common heritage of mankind, which is to be used for the benefit of mankind as a whole. The side event highlighted the experience gained through the Authority’s work on the application of area-based management tools (ABMTs) and environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in the Area. It also articulated lessons learned that can contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).Co-Chair Alfonso Ascencio-Herrera, ISA Legal Counsel and Deputy to the Secretary-General, on behalf of ISA Secretary-General Michael Lodge, highlighted that 2019 marks the triple anniversary of: UNCLOS entering into force; ISA being formally established; and the Part XI implementing agreement being adopted by the UN General Assembly. He stressed that through its exploration work and via its contractors, the Authority has facilitated a database of deep-sea-related information, enhancing global knowledge on deep-sea biodiversity, and potentially assisting work under the BBNJ instrument. Co-Chair Khurshed Alam, Bangladesh, emphasized that the ISA, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), are now fully operational, which is an UNCLOS accomplishment. He drew attention to 30 exploration contracts issued by the Authority and emphasized that over the next years, work t the exploitation regulations is critical for the implementation of the common heritage and the protection of the marine environment. Amb Courtenay Rattray, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the UN, emphasized that with its vast experience in ocean management, the Authority is poised to play an instrumental role in the BBNJ process. He stressed that the ISA’s ability to evolve is a great strength, pointing towards the Article 154 review and the linkages to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He further highlighted the development of robust environmental regulations that solidify the ISA’s leadership “for the benefit of all and the environmental integrity of the seabed.”Myeong-rae Park, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Republic of Korea, congratulated the ISA on its work and noted the need to further promote cooperation between the Authority and other relevant bodies and organizations. He highlighted the role of capacity building in achieving effective conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity.Two thematic presentations focused on the ISA’s 25-year journey in applying the holistic approach to the protection of the marine environment in the Area.Lowri Griffiths, UK, discussed the ISA’s role in protecting the marine environment in the Area and focused on recommendations related to EIAs for exploration activities. She noted that the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) had adopted the revised Recommendations for the Guidance of Contractors for the Assessment of Possible Environmental Impacts arising from Exploration for Marine Minerals in the Area. She further emphasized that a note was provided to the ISA Council regarding the process for developing and prioritizing standards and guidelines under the draft regulations on exploitation of mineral resources in the Area, highlighting a relevant technical workshop to be held by the ISA in South Africa in May 2019.Jihyun Lee, Director, Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources, ISA Secretariat, highlighted the ISA’s mission, status and prospects, and focused on how to enhance scientific knowledge and regional environmental management planning in the Area. Among other things, she drew attention to the increasing number of exploration cruises and emphasized significant technological developments. Lee also discussed the 2012 environmental management plan established for the Clarion-Clipperton Zone and the data for relevant areas of particular environmental interest collected by contractors. She highlighted key approaches for regional environmental management plans (REMPs), articulating modalities to effectively implement goals, objectives, principles, and strategies for REMP development. In the subsequent panel discussion, Kjell Kristian Egge, Norway, highlighted the ISA’s responsibility to safeguard and implement the common heritage principle, noting “the right to use and the obligation to protect the marine environment.” Regarding lessons learned for the BBNJ process, he stressed that focusing on the activity facilitates the right environmental choices. Recalling the history of UNCLOS negotiations, he cautioned against deferring discussions to future bodies.Tevita Suka Mangisi, Tonga, drew attention to the overall architecture of UNCLOS, which was decided upon as a package deal, similar to the BBNJ negotiations since all the elements of the new instrument are interlinked. He focused on: the development of environmental measures and integration of the mining process to achieve the protection and preservation of the marine environment; capacity building, stressing relevant ISA initiatives; and international cooperation.Ronan Long, World Maritime University, highlighted lessons learned from the work undertaken by the Authority and challenges lying ahead. He highlighted: the lack of unilateral mineral exploitation in areas beyond national jurisdiction; centralized decision making and enforcement powers; and the ISA’s ability to adapt to changing economic and scientific circumstances. Inviting participants to a relevant conference to be held in Sweden in May 2019, he drew attention to further work needed on: benefit-sharing; the inspection and liability regimes; monetary penalties for damage to the marine environment; and capacity building.Yoshihisa Shirayama, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) discussed the results of a long-term environmental impact study, performed by Japan in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone under the ISA framework. Focusing on impacts of plumes on benthic ecosystems, he presented the location, procedure, sampling method, and timeline of the experiment. Highlighting results on the abundance of Metazoan Meiofauna and species’ diversity, he concluded that meiofaunae in the region are dynamic and may be resilient against plume sedimentation, despite it being difficult to distinguish between natural fluctuation and recovery.In the ensuing discussion, participants addressed inter alia: ways to increase transparency in the LTC if it is to be involved in BBNJ-related work; the nomination process for participation in the upcoming workshops on REMPs; decoupling resource use and growth; and whether increases in species variability due to human intervention could be regarded as positive or negative.
IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided web coverage from the side event on the Twenty-Five Years of ISA’s Contribution to Applying Holistic Approach to the Protection of the Marine Environment in the Area.
Photos by IISD/ENB | Francis Dejon
For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page.
L-R: Amb Courtenay Rattray, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the UN; Alfonso Ascencio-Herrera, ISA Legal Counsel and Deputy to the Secretary-General; Khurshed Alam, Bangladesh; and Myeong-rae Park, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Republic of Korea
Amb Courtenay Rattray, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the UN
Alfonso Ascencio-Herrera, ISA Legal Counsel and Deputy to the Secretary-General
Myeong-rae Park, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Republic of Korea
Khurshed Alam, Bangladesh
Participants during the event
Lowri Griffiths, UK
Jihyun Lee, Director, Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources, ISA Secretariat
L-R: Yoshihisa Shirayama, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science & Technology (JAMSTEC); Lowri Griffiths, UK; and Jihyun Lee, Director, Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources, ISA Secretariat
Participants during the event
Participants listen to a presentation on ISA’s development
Nii Allotey Odunton, Ghana, former ISA Secretary-General
Amb Courtenay Rattray, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the UN, shaking hands with Alfonso Ascencio-Herrera, ISA Legal Counsel and Deputy to the Secretary-General
L-R: Kjell Kristian Egge, Norway; Tevita Suka Mangisi, Tonga; and Ronan Long, World Maritime University
CONTACT
Jihyun Lee, ISA Secretariat | jlee@isa.org.jm
MORE INFORMATION
https://www.isa.org.jm/
Highlights and images for 10 November 2016
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Side Events
IISD Reporting Services is providing coverage of selected GCC Pavilion events at the 2nd Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including written, digital and video coverage.
Creating Value from CO2
Building Resilience and Adaptation Measures with Co-mitigation Benefits in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Photos by IISD/ENB | Liz Rubin
For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page
Creating Value from CO2Presented by the Gulf Cooperation Council
Nouf Aburas, Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, moderated this event, which focused on: sharing of efforts; progress and perspectives regarding future market potential for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS); and transportation and conversion into alternative industrial uses, including chemicals, cement manufacturing, food and waste treatment.
Tidjani Niass, Saudi Aramco, described: a past initiative, which transformed methane from waste, avoiding 80 million tons of CO2 annually since 1980; and an energy management programme that fosters energy efficiency due to cogeneration capacity and flaring reduction, savings 127 million tonnes of CO2 since 2000. He highlighted challenges that need to be overcome regarding CCS, including: high capital and operating cost; availability of storage capacity; lack of tailored-policy mechanisms; and the need to raise public awareness. Niass explained that instead of storing the captured CO2, it can be used in many applications, such as fuel production, chemicals, enhanced oil recovery, food, power and energy resources, carbonates, and polymers. He said many small start-up companies are being developed to use captured CO2.
Abdulaziz Al-Jodai, Director, Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), talked about his company’s investments in extracting flue gas and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through carbon purification processes and applications in different industries, including chemicals, polymers, agri-nutrients and metals. He noted that SABIC developed the first complete commercial technology to purify CO2 in its world biggest plant. He outlined SABIC’s purification process flow and concluded that new uses for captured CO2 have been made possible via the pipeline system that delivers it to industrial consumers such as urea plants.
Nafisi Al Nafisi, Greencarbon Initiative of the Al Nafisi Industries, Kuwait, outlined the roadmap to CO2 mitigation in his region. He noted his work focuses on assisting private and public sectors to develop business models that overcome CCS challenges to use captured CO2 in sustainable applications, including beverage carbonation, anti-microbial preservation, food freezing and in-transit refrigeration. He noted captured CO2 is being used as a substitute for chemicals that treat wastewater.
Mubarak Malhiya, Qatar Fuel Additives Company Limited (QAFAC), explained his company’s use of methane recovery, which can be used to produce inputs to be used as a fuel additive. He outlined QAFAC’s environmental programmes, including flare management, leak detection and repair, and a green belt development and zero-treated wastewater discharge. He highlighted the new QAFAC project started in 2014 to recover 500 MT per day of CO2 and inject it back into a methanol plant to increase production and minimize CO2 emissions.
In the ensuing discussion, participants addressed: technological CCS challenges for carbon capture, storage and reuse; the cost of recovery and purification, which depends on CO2 concentration, the utilities available and the capacity of the plant; and the importance of lifecycle analysis and carbon footprint to help decide if an application for captured CO2 is climate-friendly.
(L-R): Abdulaziz Al-Jodai, Director of SABIC; Tidjani Niass, Saudi Aramco; Nouf Aburas, Ministery of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia; Nafisi Alnafisi, Greencarbon Initiative of the Al Nafisi Industries, Kuwait; and Mubarak Malhiya, QAFAC
Tidjani Niass, Saudi Aramco
Nafisi Alnafisi, Green Carbon Initiate of the Alnafisi Industries, Kuwait
Mubarak Malhiya, Qafac showcase CCS
Nouf Aburas, Ministery of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia
Participants listen to panelists
Abdulaziz Al-Jodai, Director of SABIC
Contacts:
Abdulhadi Nasser Almarri
| analmarri@mme.gov.qa
More Information:
http://www.sabic.com/corporate/en/
http://www.saudiaramco.com/en/home.html
http://greencarbon-me.com/about/
https://www.qafac.com.qa/
Building Resilience and Adaptation Measures with Co-mitigation Benefits in the Red Sea and the Arabian GulfPresented by PERSGA
Ali Qasem, Saudi Aramco, moderated the event that showcased the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions’ efforts in their adaptation actions through ecosystem solutions.
Khaled Al-Abdulkader, Saudi Aramco, outlined the potential to increase seafood supply via small and medium-size enterprises in Saudi Arabia. He summarized policies to avoid overexploitation and habitat degradation and to ensure fisheries sustainability in the Arabian Gulf, while increasing production. To establish a framework for managing fisheries resources, he highlighted the importance of: assessing commercial fisheries stocks; identifying relevant habitats; determining the impacts of current fishing practices; and deploying artificial reefs.
Faisal Alshuayl, High Commission of the Development of Arriyadh, Saudi Arabia, presented his city’s storm water drainage strategy, which was completed in 2014. To address rapid urban development and increased urban runoff and flooding, he outlined the city’s updated masterplan to mitigate current risks. He cited some environmental solutions, including the use of sustainable urban drainage systems and green roofs.
Hashem Al-Sada, Energy Conservation Department, Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA), Qatar, described the energy intensity of water pumping, desalination, consumption and re-use. He outlined various measures used to manage and save water, reducing the carbon footprint in both the supply and demand sides. He explained that some policies focused on the highest consumption consumers in each economic sector to achieve water savings of 35% in 2015.
Ahmed Khalil, The Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA), explained that PERSGA supports alternative livelihoods for vulnerable coastal communities with projects on: sustainable fisheries; ecotourism; diversification of commodities; pollution control; and ecosystem approaches to fisheries management and aquaculture development. He noted the importance of monitoring and coordinating regional conservation actions, and sharing experiences and knowledge among member states.
Maher Amer, PERSGA, highlighted the global conservation value of marine ecosystems for local communities in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. He also noted the economic benefits derived from marine protected areas, including: sustaining food resources and livelihoods; promoting poverty reduction; creating jobs; and generating tourism revenue. He noted the importance of effective management to: create resilience; replicate representative habitats; protect critical areas to serve as replenishment of ecological functions; and maintain biodiversity and ecological connectivity among and between habitats.
Hussien Al-Kisswani, Jordan, summarized the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems in the Gulf of Aqaba. He described adaptation measures recommended to combat climate change: coral re-planting in less impacted sites; monitoring systems for ecosystems and species; increased understanding fishing activities; guidelines for implementation of integrated coastal zone management; and training and building capacity regarding such measures.
In the ensuing discussion, participants addressed: re-use of water for irrigation systems; GHG emission scenarios used by Jordan to develop its adaptation strategy; local community participation in fisheries management of protected areas; use of sustainable urban drainage systems; and ways to reduce the carbon water footprint per capita in Qatar.
(L-R): Hashem Al-Sada, Energy Conservation Department, Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA), Qatar; Hussien Al-Kisswani, Jordan; Faisal Alshuayl, High Commission of the Development of Arriyaadh, Saudi Arabia; Khaled Abdulkader, Saudi Aramco; Ali Qasem, Saudi Aramco; Ahmed Khalil, PERSGA; and Maher Amer, PERSGA
Hashem Al-Sada,
Kahramaa Energy Conservation Department
Faisal Alshuayl, High Commission of the Development of Arriyaadh, Saudi Arabia, presented the city of Arriyaadh storm water drainage strategy.
Ahmed Khalil, PERSGA, noted the coordinating and networking of regional conservation actions and sharing of experiences and knowledge among member states.
Maher Amer, PERSGA, highlighted the limited but valuable living resources in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Participants during the event
Contacts:
Hamoud AlOtaibi
| otaibihr@yahoo.com
More Information:
http://www.persga.org/
Summary report 8–9 October 2012
CBD COP 11
Summary report 11–23 November 2013
Warsaw Climate Change Conference - November 2013