Secretary-General, Leticia Carvalho, highlighted that the Mining Code must be adopted by a multilateral framework and is a prerequisite for any future commercial activities in the Area, stating that the ISA’s Council “repeatedly affirmed that there should be no exploitation of deep-sea minerals in the absence of regulations.”
Carvalho further emphasized to the UN General Assembly that the path is clear to “finalize a strong, enforceable set of regulations, supported by standards, and guidelines, strengthened Regional Environmental Management Plans, and robust monitoring and compliance.”
Scientific knowledge, access to data, capacity building and technology transfer, all of which are central to the ISA’s mandate, were also outlined during her speech, adding that the ISA “will continue to uphold its responsibilities with integrity, transparency and inclusiveness so that the Area remains a realm of cooperation, shared benefit, peace and prosperity.”
Read the full UNGA speech for more information.