The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) successfully concluded the first-ever Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) training course for exploration activities carried out in the international seabed area (the Area). The two-week course, held recently in Egypt, brought together 18 national experts from 12 different Member States, selected among more than 130 applications received.
Mr Vavia Tangatataia, the Environmental Compliance Manager at NES were among the 18 successful participants selected to attend the training in Egypt.
The training course, funded by a grant allocated by the ISA Partnership Fund (ISAPF) and Greece, is part of the broader ISA-Egypt JTRC programme of activities targeted at enhancing developing technical and managerial capacities for national experts in the field of deep-sea research, laboratory samplings and analysis, mineral resources assessment and the use of high-skilled technology and processing of data. The ISA-Egypt JTRC was established in January 2024 through the signing of the memorandum of understanding between ISA and the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF) of Egypt in line with the decision of the Assembly adopted during the twenty-eighth session (ISBA/28/A/13).
Over the two-week intense training, structured around in-depth studies, lectures, case studies, research and analysis, participants were able to gain an enhanced understanding of ISA’s regulatory framework and guidelines in the field of EIAs. Of particular importance were the skills acquired in baseline data-collection, impact analysis and mitigation strategies tailored explicitly for deep-sea environments. The training also focused on strengthening participants’ capacity for reviewing and providing feedback on exploration environmental impact statements, using lessons learned among diverse industry sectors and the four EIAs conducted in the Area so far. Specific attention was also given to training participants in stakeholder engagement and public consultation processes in the context of deep-sea exploration and building their knowledge and expertise in creating environmental monitoring and management plans.
ISA Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, highlighted the importance of the multi-stakeholder collaboration leading to this groundbreaking training initiative during the high-level segment of the closing ceremony of the training course.
“This training course represents a significant step forward in our efforts to ensure the sustainable management of deep-sea resources for the benefit of humanity. By implementing tailored initiatives such as this one to build and develop the capacity of national experts from interested Member States, particularly developing States, ISA offers concrete and practical solutions to empower countries in making the best informed decision in support of a responsible approach to all activities carried out in the Area,” Secretary-General Lodge said.
