12th March, 2019 The Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) at its 25th Session had resumed its work for 2019 from Monday, 25th February to Friday, 01st March at the Headquarters of the ISA in Kingston, Jamaica. The Council continued negotiating and finalizing the draft regulations for the management and use of the deep sea mineral resources in and on the seabed beyond the jurisdiction of countries. The target for its completion is at the 26th Session of the ISA in 2020.
The important issues for Tonga in engaging in this process is ensuring an equitable share of any revenue generated from deep sea mineral resources which must be shared in accordance with the principle of the common heritage of mankind. The exact formula as to how this is to be done is premised upon economic modeling, establishing an appropriate legal framework, and political and diplomatic considerations, through consensus of the 167 members of the ISA – an arduous task to be completed under Part 11 of the framework United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). And in the midst of this, ensuring there is an appropriate balance between the need to conserve and protect the marine environment, and the sustainable management and use of the said resources whilst also addressing the interests of future generations (intergenerational equity).
Tonga has thus been engaging annually at the session of the ISA since 2013 with its delegation strategically composed of appropriate officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Attorney General’s Office. Tonga has enhanced its engagement and visibility in the work of the ISA by being elected twice (2014 and 2018) to the 36-member Council which serves as the executive branch of the ISA. Tonga has also managed to have one of its nationals elected by the Council to the expert and independent Legal and Technical Commission, which advises the Council in its work. Tonga will continue to engage in the important processes of the ISA given the importance of the ocean and its resources, and their appropriate management under UNCLOS to ensure Tonga’s interests are projected and protected at all times.
(Photo credit: ENB – http://enb.iisd.org/oceans/isa/2019-1/26feb.html )
At the 1st meeting of the Council, each of the regional groups of the world nominated members to serve as the President and Vice Presidents of the Council for the 25th Session of the ISA. The Presidency of the Council rotates amongst the 5 regional groups namely the African Group, the Asia Pacific Group, the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Western European and Other States Group, and the Eastern European Group. It was the turn of the African Group to nominate a member from its Group to preside over the Council as President, to succeed Norway as the outgoing President from the Western European and Other States Group. The African Group nominated South Africa for the Presidency of the Council, and was elected by acclimation. The remaining Groups were to nominate a Vice President each. The Asia Pacific Group nominated Tonga, the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States nominated Argentina, the Western European and Other States Group nominated Germany, and the Eastern European States Group nominated Poland. All the nominated candidates for the Vice Presidency were subsequently elected by acclimation by the Council.
The Delegation of the Kingdom of Tonga was led by Dr. T. Suka Mangisi, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations. The Delegation of the Kingdom of Tonga also included Ms. Rose Lesley Kautoke of the Attorney General’s Office, Ms. Yumi Nafe of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and Advisor on Natural Resource and Environment Economics, Mr. Siosiua ‘Utoikamanu.
The second and final meeting of the Council for the 25th Session of the ISA will take place on Monday 15th – Friday, 19th July 2019 in Kingston.
ENDS
Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations
TEL: (917) 369- 1025 – FAX (917) 369- 1024
EMAIL: tongaunmission@gmail.com