Mr. Michael W. Lodge, Deputy to the Secretary-General and Legal Counsel, International Seabed Authority (ISA) on Monday (4 Nov) addressed the London Dumping Convention and Protocol Parties meeting in London this week, giving an overview of the ISA and recent developments with regard to exploration and exploitation of sea-bed mineral resources. He also met with IMO Sec-Gen Sekimizu to discuss future modalities of cooperation between the ISA and IMO.
The International Seabed Authority is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. A principal function of the Authority is to regulate deep seabed mining and to give special emphasis to ensuring that the marine environment is protected from any harmful effects which may arise during mining activities, including exploration.