Ocean Science and Governance Agenda

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 28th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will focus on both organizational matters and substantive issues.

The CBD Secretariat will organize the meeting with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Topics to be addressed include:

• Planning, monitoring, reporting, and review, including the global review of collective progress in implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the monitoring framework for the GBF;
• Matters related to the work programme of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES);
• Synthetic biology;
• Sustainable wildlife management;
• Scientific and technical needs to support the implementation of the GBF, including a strategic review of and update to the programme of work on protected areas; and
• Marine and coastal biodiversity."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/cbd-sbstta-28/

More info: https://www.cbd.int/meetings

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 28th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will focus on both organizational matters and substantive issues.

The CBD Secretariat will organize the meeting with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Topics to be addressed include:

• Planning, monitoring, reporting, and review, including the global review of collective progress in implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the monitoring framework for the GBF;
• Matters related to the work programme of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES);
• Synthetic biology;
• Sustainable wildlife management;
• Scientific and technical needs to support the implementation of the GBF, including a strategic review of and update to the programme of work on protected areas; and
• Marine and coastal biodiversity."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/cbd-sbstta-28/

More info: https://www.cbd.int/meetings

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 28th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will focus on both organizational matters and substantive issues.

The CBD Secretariat will organize the meeting with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Topics to be addressed include:

• Planning, monitoring, reporting, and review, including the global review of collective progress in implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the monitoring framework for the GBF;
• Matters related to the work programme of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES);
• Synthetic biology;
• Sustainable wildlife management;
• Scientific and technical needs to support the implementation of the GBF, including a strategic review of and update to the programme of work on protected areas; and
• Marine and coastal biodiversity."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/cbd-sbstta-28/

More info: https://www.cbd.int/meetings

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 28th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will focus on both organizational matters and substantive issues.

The CBD Secretariat will organize the meeting with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Topics to be addressed include:

• Planning, monitoring, reporting, and review, including the global review of collective progress in implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the monitoring framework for the GBF;
• Matters related to the work programme of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES);
• Synthetic biology;
• Sustainable wildlife management;
• Scientific and technical needs to support the implementation of the GBF, including a strategic review of and update to the programme of work on protected areas; and
• Marine and coastal biodiversity."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/cbd-sbstta-28/

More info: https://www.cbd.int/meetings

"The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly and Council (Part II) will include the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee, the ISA Council, and the ISA Assembly. The ISA Council will meet from 13-24 July 2026, and the Assembly will convene from 27-31 July 2026.

The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. The Authority is the organization through which States parties to the Convention organize and control activities in the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. At annual sessions of the ISA, representatives from its member States meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat.

Negotiations are underway to develop rules, regulations, and procedures (RRPs) relating to commercial exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea. At its 30th session, the ISA did not complete its work on the draft regulations. Discussions were expected to continue during the intersessional period ahead of the ISA-31 meetings through Friends of the President and working groups. The ISA Secretariat was requested to prepare a further revised consolidated text ahead of ISA-31 to serve as the basis of further discussions."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/31st-session-of-the-international-seabed-authority-assembly-and-council-part-ii/

More info: https://www.isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026/

"The 28th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will focus on both organizational matters and substantive issues.

The CBD Secretariat will organize the meeting with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Topics to be addressed include:

• Planning, monitoring, reporting, and review, including the global review of collective progress in implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the monitoring framework for the GBF;
• Matters related to the work programme of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES);
• Synthetic biology;
• Sustainable wildlife management;
• Scientific and technical needs to support the implementation of the GBF, including a strategic review of and update to the programme of work on protected areas; and
• Marine and coastal biodiversity."

Source: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/cbd-sbstta-28/

More info: https://www.cbd.int/meetings