International workshop
on capacity development,
resources and needs
assessment
Kingston, February 2020

International workshop on capacity
development, resources and needs
assessment
Kingston, Jamaica
10-12 February 2020

The designations employed, as well as the content and the presentations of material
in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on thepart of the Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), including, interalia, concerning the legal status of any country or territory or of its authorities; orconcerning the delimitation of its frontiers or maritime boundaries.
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International Workshop on Capacity Development, Resources and Needs Assessment /International Seabed Authority
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Copyright ©2020 International Seabed Authority
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Table of Contents
Abbreviations										4Foreword											5Acknowledgement										6Executive summary										7Opening session										9Session I: Presentation of key findings of the assessment of thecapacity-building programmes and initiatives implemented by ISA			

15

Session II: Key findings of the assessment of the Contractor Training Programme

21

Break-out Group Session I: CTP		

					28

Session III: Key findings of the assessment of the Endowment Fund for Marine
Scientific Research in the Area								29Break-out Group Session II: EFMSR							32Session IV: Key findings of the assessment of the Internship Programme		

34

Session V: Towards a more programmatic approach to deliver ISA’s capacity
development activities									39Break-out Group Session III								40Session VI: The potential contribution of regional centres to the achievement of
SDG14											41Break-out Group Session IV: Regional Centres

				43Session VII - Assessment of capacity needs and priorities				

44

Break-out Group Session VIII: Special needs of SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs under
Session VII essentially focused Secretariat						47Session VIII: Building strategic partnerships in support of ISA’s capacity
development programmes and initiatives							48Break-out Group Session IX: Strategic partnerships					50Presentations of outcomes and way forward						

51List of boxes, figures and tables								53Annex 1: Agenda										54Annex 2: List of participants								59Annex 3: Summary of workshop outcomes						

63International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Abbreviations
ADSR project Africa Deep Seabed
Resources project

JTRC ISA-China Joint Training and ResearchCentreAMDC African Minerals Development Centre(of AU)LDCs Least developed countries

AU African Union
COMRA China Ocean Mineral Resources
Research and Development Association
CTP Contractor training programme
DIRCO Department of International Relations
and Cooperation, South Africa

LTC Legal and Technical Commission (of ISA)NOC National Oceanography Centre
NORAD Norwegian Agency for Development
Cooperation
NORI Nauru Ocean Resources Inc.

DOALOS Office of Legal Affairs, Division for
Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, United
Nations Secretariat

SD Strategic Direction

EFMSR Endowment Fund for Marine
Scientific Research (of ISA)SIDS Small island developing States

GSR Global Sea Mineral Resources
GRULAC Group of Latin America and the
Caribbean
HLAP High-Level Action Plan (of ISA for 20192023)
IFLOS International Foundation for the Lawof the Sea
IOC-UNESCO Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission of UNESCOIMO International Maritime Organization
IP Internship Programme (of ISA)SG Secretary-General

SP Strategic Plan (of ISA for 2019-2023)
SPC Pacific Community
TOML Tonga Offshore Minerals Limited
UN United Nations
UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea
UN-DESA UN Department of Economic andSocial Affairs
UN-OHRLLS UN-Office of the High
Representative for the Least Developed
Countries, Landlocked Countries and Small
Island Developing States

ISA International Seabed Authority

UN-TB UN Technology Bank for least
developed countries

ITLOS International Tribunal for the Law of
the Sea

WEOG Western Europe and Others GroupJOGMEC Japan Oil, Gas, and Metals National
Corporation

4

LLDCs Land-locked developing countries

WMU World Maritime University
1994 Agreement Agreement relating to the
Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Foreword
Increasing the participation of developing Statesin activities carried out in the international
seabed area (Area), including through thepromotion of international cooperation inmarine science and technology, especiallyscience aimed at the protection of the marine
environment will be key to advancing the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The United Nations Convention on the Lawof the Sea (UNCLOS) gives the International
Seabed Authority (ISA) a unique responsibility
to promote and encourage the conduct ofmarine scientific research in the Area and todisseminate research results and analysis whenavailable. These are critical components of thelegal regime set out in Part XI of UNCLOS underwhich all activities undertaken in the Area must
be carried out for the benefit of all humanity.
However, unless the specific capacity needs ofdeveloping States are addressed, this objective
cannot be met.
While there is no doubt that the spirit of theprovisions contained in UNCLOS remains justas valid today as they were when ISA wasestablished 25 years ago, it is clear that weneed to reconsider the ways in which we canrespond to the capacity needs of our members.
The first ever international workshop on“Capacity development, resources and needs
assessment” organized by ISA in Kingston,
was an important step towards improving thedelivery and implementation of ISA’s capacity
development programmes and initiatives tomeet the evolving needs and priorities of ourmembers, particularly Small Island Developing
States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries(LDCs) and Land Locked Developing Countries(LLDCs).
The workshop focused on the key findings of theassessment undertaken by the Secretariat on
the capacity-building programmes and initiatives

implemented by ISA since 1994. Bringing
together representatives of our members,
contractors, observers and former trainees,
this workshop created a unique platform forparticipants to exchange on matters of criticalimportance. Many of the ideas and suggestions
made by participants will provide an essential
foundation for the capacity development
strategy ISA will develop to address the priority
needs identified by developing States andhelp them make the best possible use of theopportunities available to them through thelegal regime set out in Part XI of UNCLOS.
I wish here to reiterate my gratitude to Her
Excellency Fekitamoeloa Tupoupai ‘Utoikamanu,
High Representative for the LDCs, LLDCs and
SIDS (UN-OHRLLS) and Her Excellency Mathu
Joyini, Deputy Director, Diplomatic Training andSupport Unit of DIRCO in South Africa for theirvaluable contributions to the workshop.
This is the start of an important journey. We
will continue working closely with developing
States to ensure that our capacity development
programmes and initiatives will contribute to
the national development objectives set out by
our members, especially in the context of the2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development andthe United Nations Decade of Ocean Science
for Sustainable Development, to ensure that noone is left behind.

Mr Michael W. Lodge
Secretary-General, International Seabed Authority
5International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Acknowledgments
This report was prepared by the Secretariat
of ISA. The content was compiled from thenotes taken during the course of the workshop,
as well as the presentations and abstracts
provided to the Secretariat by the presenters
and the summaries submitted by the Chairs
and Rapporteurs. The report commissionedby the Secretariat to assess the effectivenessand relevance of capacity-building programmes
and initiatives implemented by ISA1 since its
establishment, was also used to inform thediscussions summarized in this report.
The Secretariat wishes to thank the workshop
facilitator, Ambassador Mathu Joyini, forleading and guiding the workshop discussions,which resulted in important recommendations
and outcomes agreed by all the workshop’s
participants. Special appreciation is also
extended to the Under-Secretary-Generaland High Representative for SIDS, LDCs and
LLDCs, Ms Fekitamoela Katoa ‘Utoikamanu(UN-OHRLLS), for accepting the invitation toattend the workshop and delivering remarks at
the opening session.

The Secretariat also wishes to convey its
deepest appreciation to the Chairs, Rapporteurs,presenters and participants whose contribution
provided significant insights to the discussions
and outcomes of the workshop.
Thanks are also due to Mr Tearinaki Tanielu,
consultant, as well as to staff of the Secretariat
who assisted in the necessary preparatory
arrangements for the workshop and specifically:
Mrs Christine Griffiths, Mr Enoch Allen, Mrs
Trudi-Ann Herdsman, Mrs Liliana Valles, Mr
Aristakes Zurabian, Mr Joseph Khoreich, Mrs
Zorana Maltar, Mrs Fitzroy Ferguson, Mrs
Ksenija Thompson, Mr Chapi Mwango, Mrs
Charlotte Salpin, Mrs Kayon Wray, Mr Errol
Evans and Mr Oswald Love. The contributionof Mr Rahul Sharma, consultant, was alsoessential.
The Communications Unit of ISA should also be
thanked for the outstanding work undertaken
in preparation of the workshop and this reportand in particular, Mrs Katie Elles, Ms Shanique
Gregory and Mr Ryan Barbar.

Contact information:
Mrs. Marie Bourrel-McKinnon, Senior Policy Officer - Special Assistantto the Secretary-General
Email: mbourrel@isa.org.jm Website: www.isa.org.jm

1 ISA, Review of capacity-building programmes and initiatives implemented by the International Seabed Authority, Version
1.2, 5 February 2020, 80 p.

6International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Executive summary
The Strategic Plan for the International Seabed
Authority (ISA) for 2019-20232
explicitly
recognizes the duty of ISA to ensure thata variety of capacity-building mechanisms
are developed for developing States. Suchmechanisms should not only aim at facilitating
the transfer of technology to developing
States3 but also, ensuring the expansion ofopportunities for participation in activities in
the Area4. In light of this, Members of ISA haveidentified that the challenge for the Organization
is to identify mechanisms, including capacitybuilding programmes, to ensure fully integrated
participation by developing States in activities
in the Area at all levels. Strategic Direction 5(“Build capacity for developing States”) and
Strategic Direction 6 (“Ensure integrated
participation by developing States”) aim at
concretizing this objective.
As indicated in the High-Level Action Plan
relating to the implementation of the ISA
Strategic Plan for 2019-2023 adopted by the
Assembly in August 20195, specific actions
need to be undertaken by the ISA Secretariat
by 2020. One of particular importance is
to “assist developing States, in particulargeographically disadvantaged States, small
island developing States, least developed
countries and landlocked developing countries,
in identifying their needs” (high-level action
5.1.1).
It is to deliver against this important item that
the ISA Secretariat organized the workshop
on “Capacity development, resources andneeds assessment” that was held in Kingston,
Jamaica, from 10 to 12 February 2020.

The workshop has been designed to provide
an opportunity for participants to exchange
and discuss on a series of issues associatedwith the implementation by ISA, of different
capacity-building programmes and initiatives,in particular to:(i)assist in clarifying the nature and objectives of capacity-building and technical assistance provided by ISA in
the context of Part XI of UNCLOS;(ii)

discuss the key findings of the draft
assessment undertaken by the Secretariat on:(a) the current capacity-building
initiatives & programmes implemented by ISA in order to understand how to improve their effectiveness and impact; and(b) the resources available to ISA toaddress such needs, and(iii) begin identifying the core elements
for the design and development of a
dedicated strategy for capacity-building and capacity development activities that will measurably contributeto increase capacities of ISA member States in specific area(s) identified.

The workshop was facilitated by H.E Mathu
Joyini of the Republic of South Africa and2 See ISBA/24/A/10.
3 See UNCLOS, art.144, 273 and 274
4 See UNCLOS, art.148.
5 See ISBA/25/A/15.

7

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

was attended by official representatives ofMembers of ISA (Algeria, Argentina, Brazil,
Chile, China, Cook Islands, Costa Rica,
Ecuador, Egypt, European Union, Ghana,
Guatemala, Indonesia, Jamaica, Korea, Mexico,
Myanmar, Nauru, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South
Africa, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago and Uganda)
and experts from international and regionalorganizations (African Union, Commonwealth
Secretariat, IOC-UNESCO, National Deep Sea
Centre (JTRC), National Oceanography Centre
UK, UNDESA, UNEP, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNOHRLLS, Technology Bank for LDCs, World
Maritime University) as well as observers of
ISA (Ethiopia, Durham University’s Centre
for Borders Research, Interridge, the Pew
Charitable Trust), contractors (COMRA, DORD,
BGR, GSR, JOGMEC, NORI, TOML, UKSRL)
and national experts (Ghana, India, Kiribati andTogo)6.
As part of the preparatory work to assist in theorganization of the workshop, an assessmentof the effectiveness and relevance of

6 A full list of participants is provided as Annex 2.

8capacity-building programmes and initiatives
implemented by ISA since its establishment in1994 has been carried out by the ISA Secretariat.
The key findings of the assessment havebeen collated into a report (draft assessment
report) which was shared with all participantsin preparation of the workshop.
The workshop included a total of eight plenary
sessions structured around presentationsdelivered by ISA staff, experts fromintergovernmental organizations, contractors,
former ISA trainees and academia. Someplenary sessions were complemented bybreak-out group sessions to allow participants
to engage further on critical elements relatingto specific components/issues associatedto ISA’s capacity-building programmes andinitiatives and key findings outlined in the draft
assessment report. A full list of the plenary andbreak-out group sessions, as well as the listof presentations, are included in the agenda
which is attached in Annex 1.

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Opening Session
Welcome Remarks
Mr Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General, International Seabed Authority (ISA)USG Fekitamoeloa Tpoupai Utoikamanu
High Representative for small island States, least developed countries and landlocked developing countries, UN-OHRLLS

Opening remarks by
Mr Michael W. Lodge,

Secretary-General of theInternational Seabed Authority
It is a great pleasure and a privilege to welcome
you all to Kingston for our first ever international
workshop on capacity development, resources
and needs assessment.
This workshop, which I must say is long
overdue, is one of our flagship initiatives for2020 in the context of the Strategic Plan andHigh-Level Action Plan for the Authority.
Regrettably, a few colleagues have been
delayed or are unable to participate as a resultof the current global challenges that exist
for travel at this time, but I am very pleased
therefore that so many of you have been able
to attend.
I particularly wish to welcome the UN High
Representative for small island States,
least developed countries and land-locked
development countries, Fekita ‘Utoikamanu,
who is making her first visit to Jamaica.
I also wish to extend a special welcome to Her
Excellency Mathu Joyini, currently head of the
Diplomatic Training and Support unit of DIRCO,
South Africa, but in a former posting the HighCommissioner of South Africa to Jamaica
as well as the Permanent Representative ofSouth Africa to the Authority. Ambassador
Joyini was also instrumental in making thehosting arrangements for the ISA workshops
in Pretoria last year and it is a great pleasure
to welcome her back to these shores as an oldfriend of Jamaica and the Authority.
The context for this workshop is based firmly
around the mandate of the Authority as set out
in the Law of the Sea Convention and the 1994
Implementation Agreement, and the need to
implement that mandate through the Strategic
Plan for the period 2019-2023.
The fundamental principle at the heart of thelegal regime for the Area under the Convention
is that all activities in the Area must be carriedout for the benefit of all humanity.
Right from the outset, it was recognizedthat this objective cannot be met unlessdeveloping States have the capacity to realize
those benefits. That is why the Convention
recognizes, for example, the need for States
Parties to promote international cooperationin marine scientific research in the Area andto develop programmes through the Authority
for the benefit of developing States andtechnologically less developed States.
That is also why the Convention requires
the Authority to take measures to acquire9International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

technology and scientific knowledge relating
to activities in the Area and promote andencourage the transfer to developing Statesof such technology and scientific knowledge
so that all States Parties benefit therefrom.
Under the 1994 Agreement, this is to beachieved particularly by developing training,technical assistance and scientific cooperation
programmes in marine science and technology
and the protection and preservation of themarine environment.
Historically, the main vehicle for delivery ofthese objectives has been the contractor
training programme, which was originallyintroduced as a mandatory component of theplans of work for exploration for registeredpioneer investors under the resolution II
regime. This programme, as it has evolved, hasbeen tremendously successful, and I would
like to pause to congratulate and recognize thecommitment of all our contractors to invest
in training and maximize the benefits of thisprogramme. We will hear more about this in
Session II, when we will review the outcomesof an in-depth assessment of this programme.
At this point, let me also thank all of those,member States, contractors and current
and former trainees, who responded to thesurveys to help us carry out an evaluation of
the contractor training programme, and also
recognize the role played by our consultant, Dr
Rahul Sharma, who compiled this part of thereport.
But this is not enough by itself. The ISA
Strategic Plan for 2019-2023 explicitly
recognizes the duty of the Authority to ensurethat a variety of capacity-building mechanisms
are needed. Such mechanisms should not only
aim at facilitating the transfer of technology
to developing States but also, ensuring the
expansion of opportunities for participation in
activities in the Area.
To implement these aspirations, the High-Level
Action Plan adopted by the Assembly in August
2019 requires several specific actions to be10

undertaken by the Secretariat by 2020. One
specific action is to “assist developing States,in particular geographically disadvantaged
States, small island developing States, least
developed countries and landlocked developing
countries, in identifying their needs”.
And it is primarily to deliver against this itemthat we are convening this workshop.
The expected outputs of the workshop, as set
out in the background document, include to:• Map the critical capacity development
needs of developing States members of
the Authority.
• Identify the resources available to address
those needs and potential options forincreased extra-budgetary support.
• Develop recommendations for theconsideration of the Assembly.
• Develop a list of priority capacitydevelopment activities for the Authority.
In order to get to that point, the backgrounddocumentation and the sessions of theworkshop have been carefully organized toenable the workshop as a group to:• Clarify the nature and objectives ofcapacity-building and technical assistanceprovided by the Authority in the context ofPart XI of UNCLOS.
• Undertake an assessment of capacitybuilding needs compared to thecurrent capacity-building initiatives andprogrammes implemented by the Authority
in order to understand how to improvetheir effectiveness and impact.
• Identify the core elements for the designand development of a dedicated strategy
for capacity-building activities that willmeasurably
contributetoincrease
capacities of member States.
I am sure that you will find that the resources
we have provided for you in terms of backgrounddocumentation will enable us to achieve theseobjectives. This has been the product of many
months of hard work and planning, and again
I want to thank all those who responded toInternational workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

surveys, as well as the team of staff andconsultants in the secretariat that havedone all the preparations for this workshop. I
particularly wish to acknowledge the efforts ofMarie Bourrel-McKinnon, Tearinaki Tanielu, Ryan
Barbar, Chapi Mwango and Kayon Wray.
To conclude, let me just make a few
general remarks about the place of capacity
development within the context of the
Authority as we go forward.
We are all aware that the Authority is enteringa new phase of its existence. After 25 years
we are coming close to the adoption of a
Mining Code that will allow commercial
exploitation of seabed minerals to begin in theway envisaged by the Convention. We are also
making important advances in protecting themarine environment through the developmentof regional scale environmental management
plans.
To a great extent the progress that has been
made in terms of deep-sea research andtechnology development are the product ofparallel advances in marine science technologythat have taken place over the past decades,
as well as in related fields, such as data
management. We see this in other sectors
too, such as the ongoing discussions at theUnited Nations in relation to marine genetic
resources, as well as the preparations for the
UN Decade of Ocean Science.

I wish you well in your deliberations, and I lookforward to the outcomes of the workshop.

Remarks by USG
Fekitamoeloa Tpoupai
Utoikamanu,

High Representative for small
island States, least developed
countries and land-locked
developing countries, UNOHRLLS
Excellencies,
Secretary-General of the International Seabed
Authority, Mr Michael Lodge
Ladies and gentlemen,
I appreciate being able to join you at this very
important workshop on capacity building,resources and needs assessment. The
Seabeds are our common resource frontier.
I thank the International Seabed Authority for
its close collaboration with OHRLLS. Yes, it
is quite the mouthful to say OHRLLS, which
stands for the United Nations Office of theHigh Representative for the least developed
countries, landlocked developing countries andsmall island developing countries.

Tomorrow’s deep-sea operations will rely justas much on artificial intelligence, big data,
DNA, nanoscience and innovative samplingtechniques as they do on tried and tested
traditional offshore technology.

In practice, OHRLLS advocates for 91 of the
193 UN member states. These 91 countries
are among the most vulnerable countries
around the world, totalling about 1.1 billion
people.

So, while there is no doubt that the spirit of theprovisions contained in the Convention remain
just as valid today as they were 25 years ago,
it is equally clear that we need to reconsider
the ways in which we can deliver capacity
development to ensure that they meet the realneeds not just of today but also of tomorrow’s
scientists.

Our mandate is to advocate to mobilise support
for, and carry out advocacy and to facilitate thecoordination of the UN system support forthese countries and their peoples.
We are also tasked and monitor implementationof their respective programmes of Action –namely the Istanbul Programme of Action for
11International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

the LDCs and the Vienna Programme of Action
for the LLDCs, and jointly with DESA, the
SAMOA Pathway for the SIDS.

Indeed the LDCs are the countries that are thefurthest behind. They were among a numberof countries that did not meet the MDGS.

Addressing the SDG Summit last year, theSecretary General of the UN issued a global
call for the Decade of Action to deliver the
SDGs by 2030. In the political declaration fromthis summit, there was a clear commitment
to take tangible action to support the mostvulnerable people and countries and reach out
to those who are the furthest behind first.

Similarly, the midterm reviews of the
SAMOA Pathway for the SIDS and the Vienna
Programme of Action for the LLDCs last year,
highlighted the immense challenges faced bythese two groups.

The focus of this workshop is right in line withthis call for action, and I congratulate you on
addressing the capacity needs of the mostvulnerable countries, including the SIDS, LDCs
and LLDCs.

Therefore, the abilities to meet the Agenda
2030 Sustainable Development Goals presents
a considerable challenge, but one that wetogether must meet.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In all these programmes, we can note progressin implementation, but the bottom line is that
too many are still left behind.

USG Fekitamoeloa Tpoupai Utoikamanu

12

We have ten years to meet these goals, which
is not a lot of time, and 2020 is a critical year.

The SDGs are drivers for inclusive andsustainable transformation of economies,

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

societies, and human behaviour. They are notsome abstract, or theoretical construct. They
are a roadmap to leave no one behind but notin just any kind of way – they are equally aboutsustainability in how and what we do.
I think that everyone here has long known that
oceans and seas are of paramount importanceto the wellbeing, to the survival and thedevelopment of human society. After all,already some almost four decades ago, herein Jamaica you had the first meetings on theInternational Law of the Sea.
Today, we count over 3 billion people spread
across our globe depending on coastal andmarine resources. These resources are at thecore of their livelihoods, they generate jobs invarious industries ranging from fisheries, toshipping and to tourism.
For the SIDS and coastal LDCs, the oceans
and their marine resources are the heart andlungs of their lives. They are the foundation of
their economies, culture and livelihoods.

structures, seabed mining has the potential tobe an integral part of the blue economy, while
ensuring the effective protection of the marine
environment from harmful effects.
We must ensure that seabed exploration andexploitation deliver sustainable benefits tohumankind and that those benefits are sharedequitably.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The provisions in the Convention on the Law of
the Sea are clear. The Area and its resources
are a shared heritage of mankind.
Part XI, article 148 of the UNCLOS statesthat the effective participation of developing
countries, in activities of the Area should bepromoted, having due regard to their special
interest and needs, including the special needsof land-locked countries to overcome obstacles
arising from their disadvantaged geographicallocation, including remoteness and access toand from the sea.

The landlocked countries of course do not havedirect access to the sea. Yet their access toand use of ocean space is integral to achieving
SDG14 and meeting the obligations under theConventions of the Law of the Sea.

But how to go about this in practical terms?

Currently LDCs, LLDCs & SIDS too often
lack the expertise, institutional capacities andfinancial support to derive full benefit from theocean and its resources in sustainable ways.
These challenges are even greater when we
consider the new and emerging industries
linkedto marine scientific research andprospects for deep sea mining and now costeffectiveness enters the equation.

So I must congratulate the International Seabed
Authority for your past, current and I anticipate
strong future efforts to raise awareness andenhance participation of vulnerable countries
in the activities and programmes conducted by
the Authority.

Several of the Pacific SIDS, including my own
country Tonga, have embarked on mineral
exploration in their waters.
For those SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs with narrowpotential to expand limited land based economic

Fostering partnerships for sustainable capacity
building and technical assistance to thesecountries will be key.

The ISA voluntary commitments announced
at the Ocean Conference in June 2017, also
demonstrates your strong commitment
to strengthen cooperation through theAbyssal Initiative for the Pacific SIDS andthe cooperation announced with the African
Mineral Development Centre to support
Africa’s Blue Economy.

13International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

The draft needs assessment for this workshop
is also very helpful to understand the barriersand challenges for developing countries as wellas the participation rates of LDCs, LLDCs and
SIDS in current initiatives and programmes
conducted by the ISA.
OHRLLS will support you in these activities.
We offer the support of my office, to raiseawareness and strengthening engagementwith under-represented countries on how best
to support their needs.
We can and we must foster greater cooperation
with the framework of the UNCLOS and throughthe International Seabed Authority to enhance
opportunities for the most vulnerable countries.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Just a mere decade separates us from 2030.
In the Decade for Action mentioned earlier, theSecretary-General of the UN will continue toamplify the call for climate action and genderequality.
Today women account for only 38% of theworld’s researchers in ocean science. The rateis even lower for women from developing
countries and yet more women have not been
inspired by the work of great women like Sylvia
Earle – we need many more like her.

14

Allow me to briefly mention the establishmentof the Technology Bank for LDCs.
The Bank was operationalized under the
auspices of OHRLLS to contribute to thedevelopment of science, technology andinnovation in the world’s poorest countries.
The establishment of this Bank is a milestoneachievement, and it is also the first SDG target
to be achieved: target 17.8. The Bank bears thepotential to tackle one of the great new dividesof our times: access to science, technology
and capacity to innovate.
It aims inter alia to bring on board the collective
expertise of the entire UN system to support
the implementation of the SDGs at the country
level.
Today we have here with us the Managing
Director of the Technology Bank, Mr Setipa. I
hope that together, you will discuss the potential
cooperation with the Bank to support membersof the Seabed Authority that are LDCs.
Ladies and gentlemen,2020 is an important year for our oceans.
The second UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon,
Portugal, the Our Ocean Conference in Palauin August, the BBNJ negotiations, and the UN
Biodiversity Conference.

UN-OHRLLS partnered with ISA to officiallylaunch its voluntary commitment initiative toincrease women’s active participation in marine
scientific research through targeted capacity
building during the 2018 Commission on the
Status of Women.

All these fora must lead to deeper engagement
for capacity-building, technology transfer,and sharing of experiences to enhance
opportunities for the participation of LDCs,
LLDCs and SIDs in the blue economy andsupport the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

My office stands ready to continue ourcollaboration to address the structural
challenges faced by women and support theircapacity building to enhance the role of womenin deep-sea scientific research to support theSDGs.

To close, I once again thank the International
Seabed Authority for convening this importantworkshop.

Ladies and gentlemen,Thank you.

I wish you all a successful and productive
meeting.

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

SESSION 1

Presentation of key findings of theassessment of the capacity-building
programmes and initiatives implemented
by ISA
Presentations
H.E Ambassador Mathu Joyini, Deputy Director, Diplomatic Training and Support Unit of
DIRCO“Objectives of the workshop and expected outcomes”
Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon, Senior Policy Officer – Special Assistant to the Secretary
General, ISA“Key findings of the assessment of the capacity-building programmes and initiatives
implemented by ISA”

The first presentation was delivered by H.E
Ambassador Mathu Joyini, the workshop
facilitator, outlining the objectives and expected
outcomes of the workshop (see figure 1).
Ambassador Joyini highlighted that the key

strategic challenge was to identify mechanismsthat will ensure integrated participation by
developing States in activities undertaken in
the Area on the basis of the capacity priority
needs as identified by developing States.

Figure 1: Objectives and expected outcomes of the workshop
FOCUS OF THE WORKSHOPKEY STRATEGICCHALLENGEISA Strategic Plan
2019-2023
Strategic Directions 5 & 6

Identifying mechanism,
including capacity building
programmes to ensure fully
integrated participation by
developing States in activities
in the Area at all levels.

Ensure fully integrated
participation by developing States

Building capacity fordeveloping States

High Level Actions& KPIsAssist developing States,
including LDCs, LLDCs and
SIDS in identifying their needs

High Level Actions& KPIs

Source: ISA Secretariat, 202015

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

research, technology transfer, protection of
the marine environment as well as to increase
the participation of developing States in
the activities carried out in the Area. After
presenting the different initiatives currently
implemented by ISA to fulfil its capacitybuilding mandate (see figure 2), the presenter
recalled the specific strategic directions set
out in the ISA’s Strategic Plan for 2019-2023
and their associated actions and outputs asdetailed in the High-Level Action Plan for 20192023 (see figure 3). The presentation ended
with a brief summary of the overall numbersof individuals who had benefitted from thedifferent initiatives (see figure 4) and the key
findings of the draft assessment report. As
such, it was indicated that overall:
Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon, ISA Secretariat

Dr Marie Bourrel-Mckinnon provided an
overview of the international framework
within which capacity-building programmes
and initiatives implemented by ISA have
evolved. This was the opportunity to provide
some important clarification on the role andmandate of ISA in relation to capacity-building
particularly in the field of marine scientific(i) recent years have seen an increase of women participation in capacity-building andtraining programmes provided by ISA;(ii) priority should be given to address the specific needs identified by developing States
themselves;(iii) building and training programmes provided
be given to develop a more programmatic
capacity development;(iv) it would be essential to develop clear
indicators.

CURRENT ISA INITIATIVES

Figure 2: Current ISA’s capacity building programmes & initiatives

Contractors
Training Programme

Endowment
Fund for MSR

Internships

Source: ISA Secretariat, 2020

16

Information
workshops

Voluntary
Commitments

Joint training
CentreInternational workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Figure 3: High-level actions & outputs for SD 5 and SD 6
(ISA High-Level Action Plan 2019-2023)
ISBA/25/A/15 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGICPLAN FOR THE AUTHORITY FOR THE PERIOD 2019–2023 HLAP 2019-2023

Strategic Direction 5 - Build capacity
for developing States
5.1 CB programmes & measures and their delivery
targeted at the needs of developing States, as
identiﬁed by developing States

5.2.2
High-level action: Participate in global ﬁnancing mechanisms to foster
funding opportunities for the Endowment Fund for Marine ScientiﬁcResearch in the Area and its beneﬁciaries

5.1.1

Outputs: No output against this action

High-level action: Assist developing States, in particular geographicallydisadvantaged States, small island developing States, least developed
countries and landlocked developing countries, in identifying their needs

Time frame for completion: Continuous
Organ responsible: Secretariat

Outputs:(i) Report on initiatives developed to facilitate the identiﬁcation of(ii) Collect input on the identiﬁcation of the emerging needs ofdeveloping States, in particular geographically disadvantaged States,
small island developing States, least developed countries
andlandlocked developing countries(iii) Develop a capacity-building strategy for the Authority that
addresses the needs identiﬁed by developing States
Time frame for completion: 2020
Organ responsible: Secretariat
Associated organ: Assembly (iii)
5.1.2
High-level action: Adjust capacity-building programmes as necessary tomeet the needs of developing States
Outputs:(i) Make adjustments to address the needs identiﬁed by developing States(ii) Recommend speciﬁc measures to address the needs identiﬁed bydeveloping States
Time frame for completion: 2020
Organ responsible: Secretariat
5.1.3

5.3 CB measures to be mainstreamed into
relevant initiatives
5.3.1
High-level action: Promote, prioritize and implement capacity-building
measures in all projects and activities, as far as practicable,
implemented by the Authority, alone and in partnership, with anemphasis on the needs identiﬁed by developing States
Outputs:(i) Ensure the dissemination of and access to all information on
capacity-building opportunities on the Authority’s website(ii) Ensure that all the Authority’s projects and activities, as far aspracticable, contain a dedicated capacity-building component(iii) Develop and implement measures and process that ensure theselection of the best qualiﬁed candidates(iv) Promote and develop excellence in deep sea research among young
scientists and researchers from developing States through theSecretary-General’s awards
Time frame for completion: Continuous
Organ responsible: Secretariat
Coordinating organ: Legal and Technical Commission (iii)

5.4 Build on the achievements of contractor
training programmes and assess theirlong-term impact on capacity-building

High-level action: Undertake regular assessments of the effectivenessand relevance of capacity-building programmes and initiatives
implemented by the Authority
Outputs:(i) Report on key ﬁndings of the assessments undertaken(ii) Recommend speciﬁc measures to improve the delivery ofcapacity-building programmes and measures implemented by the
Authority
Time frame for completion: 2020
Organ responsible: Secretariat
Associated organ: Assembly

5.2 Seek and maximize funding opportunities for
the Endowment Fund for MSR

5.4.1
High-level action: Undertake regular assessments of contractors’
training programmes and their long-term impact on capacity-building
Outputs:(i) Analyse the long-term impact of the contractors’ training programmes(ii) Recommend measures to improve the impact of the contractors’
training programmes
Time frame for completion: 2020
Organ responsible: Secretariat
Associated organ: Assembly
Coordinating organ: Legal and Technical Commission

5.2.1

5.4.2

High-level action: Promote and strengthen partnerships with
Governments, international organizations and the private sector to
maximize funding opportunities and in-kind contributions for theEndowment Fund for Marine Scientiﬁc Research in the Area and its
beneﬁciaries

High-level action: Facilitate the adjustment of contractor training
programmes to meet the needs of developing States

Outputs: Report on partnerships established to maximize funding
opportunities for the Endowment Fund for Marine Scientiﬁc Research in
the Area and its beneﬁciaries
Time frame for completion: Annual
Organ responsible: Secretariat
Associated organ: Assembly

Outputs:(i) Identify, in partnership with contractors, options for the adjustment of
their contractors’ training programmes(ii) Develop cost-effective measures to improve the delivery of thecontractors’ training programmes
Time frame for completion: 2021 (i) 2020 (ii)Organ responsible: Secretariat
Associated organ: Assembly (i) Council (ii)
Coordinating organ: Legal and Technical Commission

17

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Strategic Direction 6 - Ensure fully
integrated participation by developing States
6.1 Continue to promote and seek opportunities
for fully integrated participation by developing
States in the implementation of the regime for
the Area, paying special attention to the needsof landlocked and geographically disadvantaged
States, small island developing States and theleast developed countries
6.1.1
High-level action: Develop measures to increase participation by
developing States in the implementation of the regime for the Area
Outputs:(i) Identify measures to increase the participation of developing States in
the work of the Authority(ii) Identify measures to increase the participation of developing States inmarine scientiﬁc programmes carried out in the Area
Time frame for completion: 2020
Organ responsible: Secretariat
Associated organ: Assembly
6.1.2
High-level action: Identify and address the needs of developing States in
the implementation of the regime for the Area
Outputs:(i) Identify the needs of developing States for ensuring an effective and
efﬁcient implementation of the regime for the Area(ii) Identify measures to improve the implementation of the regime for the
Area by developing States

6.3.2
High-level action: Identify training opportunities for personnel fromdeveloping States in marine science and technology
Outputs:(i) Facilitate the selection of qualiﬁed candidates for training programmes
under plans of work(ii) Report on the implementation of training programmes
Time frame for completion: Continuous
Organ responsible: Secretariat
Associated organ: Legal and Technical Commission
Coordinating organ: Council (i)6.3.3
High-level action: Identify and develop measures to strengthen the roleof women in deep seabed-related activities and, in particular, deep
seabed research
Outputs:
Report on the measures identiﬁed or developed that could be
implemented by the Authority to strengthen the role of women in deepsea research
Time frame for completion: 2020
Organ responsible: Secretariat
Associated organ: Assembly

6.4 Carry out a detailed resource assessmentof the reserved areas that are available to theEnterprise and developing States

Time frame for completion: 2023
Organ responsible: Assembly

6.2 Undertake a review of the extent of theparticipation by developing States in the Area,
identify and understand any speciﬁc barriers tosuch participation and address them accordingly,
including through targeted outreach andpartnerships
6.2.1

6.4.1
High-level action: Update the resource assessment of the reserved areas
as new data and information become available
Outputs:
Report on detailed resource assessments of the reserved areas that areavailable to the Enterprise and developing States
Time frame for completion: 2020
Organ responsible: Secretariat

High-level action: Consult developing States members of the Authority toidentify potential barriers to participation and devise mechanisms toaddress them

6.5 Identify possible approaches to the
independent operation of the Enterprise in a
way that meets the objectives of theConvention and the 1994 Agreement while
taking into account that the Enterprise lacks
capital and is limited to operating throughjoint ventures

Outputs:(i) Organize consultations with developing States members of the
Authority with a view to identifying potential barriers to their participationin activities in the Area(ii) Report on potential mechanisms identiﬁed to remove the barriers thatstop developing States members of the Authority from participating fullyin activities in the Area
Time frame for completion: Continuous (i) 2020 (ii)Organ responsible: Secretariat
Associated organ: Assembly

6.3 In cooperation with States parties, initiate andpromote measures providing opportunities topersonnel from developing States for training inmarine science and technology and for their fullparticipation in activities in the Area
6.3.1
High-level action: Identify training opportunities for personnel fromdeveloping States in marine science and technology
Outputs:(i) Develop a network of entities providing training opportunities for
personnel from developing States(ii) Promote and facilitate the establishment of regional centres of
excellence for strengthening capacities in developing States(iii) Establish and maintain a database of trainees from developing States
who have beneﬁted from training opportunities
Time frame for completion: 2020 (i) Continuous (ii)Organ responsible: Secretariat (i and iii) Assembly (ii)
Associated organ: Secretariat (ii)
Coordinating organ: Legal and Technical Commission (iii)

18

6.5.1
High-level action: Identify possible approaches to the independent
operation of the Enterprise, including procedures and criteria for joint
venture operations
Outputs:(i) Commission a study on the operationalization of the Enterprise(ii) Commission a report from the designated Special Representative of
the Secretary-General for the Enterprise on the proposal by theGovernment of Poland for a joint venture with the Enterprise(iii) Facilitate the development of a business proposal to facilitate theoperation of a joint venture(iv) Establish a voluntary trust fund for the purpose of providing the funds
necessary for the work of the Special Representative of theSecretary-General for the EnterpriseTime frame for completion: 2019
Organ responsible: Secretariat
Associated organ: Assembly and Council (i) Assembly
Coordinating organ: Legal and Technical Commission (i)International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Figure 4: Overview of number of individuals trained under ISA’s capacity-building
programmes & initiatives (1994-2019)

ISA 1994-2019
CTP

EFMSR

Internship

145

145

30

410
25

65

Source: ISA Secretariat, 2020

Discussion:

Several comments were made by participants.
Argentina highlighted the need to consider
that Members of ISA have various levels of
engagement and levels of capacity, and thatsome Members would need to build theoreticaland background knowledge on deep sea
minerals prior to engaging in more advanced
stages of exploration. The need for contractors
to consider this issue when designing training
programmes was also stressed, in particular
as it relates to adding diversity for levels of
training. A point was also made regarding
the importance of having regional workshops

to complement ongoing training activities
provided by contractors under the purview of
ISA. Indonesia underscored the differencein capacity-building needs while emphasizing
the importance of raising awareness of therole and functions of ISA, about the statusof activities undertaken in the Area and themeans through which developing States could
effectively engage. It was also suggested
that ISA should coordinate such events with
regional organizations. Ghana outlined that
all training programmes should be designed
to meet the needs of developing States, as
identified by them. Tonga noted the positive

19

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

impact of the ongoing training provided
by ISA for Tongan nationals, especially in
relation to increased participation of women.
Myanmar commented on the need to raiseawareness among Members, at regional
level, and suggested that ISA could increase
direct communications with relevant regionalorganizations such as ASEAN. The workshop
facilitator then referred participants to theapproach recently followed by ISA whenorganizing information seminars, the latest
edition having been organized in Myanmar
in September 2019. Brazil raised a question
relating to the possibility for contractors
making contributions to the Endowment Fundfor Marine Scientific Research in the Area
(EFMSR), in lieu of providing training activities,
and whether this would be conceived as partof the legal/contractual requirement. Uganda
observed that ISA’s finance processes and pool

Workshop participants

7 See ISBA/13/A/6, annex, para.3.

20

of funds, including those relating to capacitybuilding programmes, and others such as thevoluntary trust fund, seem to be operatingin silos, and that there is no mechanism orprocess for ‘cross-interaction’. The National
Oceanography Centre (NOC) commented
on the importance to find measures to allow
for meaningful usage of the funding whilst
also protecting the EFMSR’s capital. On thatparticular point, the Secretary-General of
ISA informed participants that one of the core
issues faced relates to the lack of interest forpotential donors to contribute as under thecurrent terms of reference, guidelines andprocedures of the EFMSR, only the interest
accrued can be utilized7. A representative of
UN-DESA suggested that addressing thedecline in contributions faced by the EFMSR
could lead in exploring other sources of funding
and partnerships.

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

SESSION 2

Key findings of the assessment of theContractor Training Programme
Chair: Mr Corey McLachlan, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, NORI
Rapporteur: Mr Chapi Mwango, Chief, Contract Management Unit, ISA
Presenters
Mr Chapi Mwango, Chief, Contract Management Unit, ISA“Key findings of the assessment of the Contractor Training Programme”
Mr John Parianos, Manager Exploration and Polymetallic Nodules, Tonga Offshore Mining
Limited“Perspectives on capacity building”
Mr François Charlet, Exploration Manager - Marine Geologist, GSR“Assessment of the GSR training programme”
Mr Jun Jiang, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to ISA – COMRA“Assessment of COMRA’s contractor training programme“
Ms Judith A. Owusu, Ghana
Former trainee of JOGMECMr Hank Hedge, Jamaica
Former trainee of JOGMECMr Chapi Mwango, Chief of the Contract
Management Unit at ISA, provided an overview
of the key findings of the draft assessment
report commissioned by the ISA Secretariat
on the Contractor Training Programme (CTP).
The presenter recalled that the CTP is rooted
in the provisions of resolution II of UNCLOS“Governing preparatory investment in pioneer
activities relating to polymetallic nodules”.
Pursuant to resolution II, paragraph 12 (a) (ii),the Preparatory Commission envisaged that“every registered pioneer investor” would
have to provide training programme to the

L – R): Mr Corey McLachlan, Head of Stakeholder
Engagement, NORI and Mr Chapi Mwango, ISA
Secretariat

21

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

individuals selected by the Legal and TechnicalCommission (LTC). Mr Mwango informed
participants that such requirements werecomplemented by specific legal obligations
set out for contractors in article 15 of Annex III
of UNCLOS (see box 1) and further elaborated
in the exploration regulations adopted by ISA(see boxes 2 and 3).
In presenting the key findings of the assessment
carried out by the ISA Secretariat on the CTP,
Mr Mwango provided comments under eachBox 1: Article 15, Annex III of UNCLOS
Training programmes
The contractor shall draw up practicalprogrammes for the training of personnel ofthe authority and developing States, including
the participation of such personnel in all
activities in the Area which are covered by
the contract, in accordance with article 144,
paragraph 2.

Box 2: Standard clauses for exploration
contracts
Regulation 27 of the Regulations on
Prospecting and Exploration for Polymetallic
Nodules (ISBA/19/C/17), (Regulation 29 for
Polymetallic Sulphides (ISAB/16/A/12) andregulation 29 for Cobalt-rich Ferromanganese
Crusts (ISBA18/A/11)“Pursuant to article 15 of Annex III to theConvention, each contract shall include asa schedule a practical programme for the
training of personnel of the Authority anddeveloping States and drawn up by thecontractor in cooperation with the Authority
and the sponsoring State or States. Training
programmes shall focus on training in the
conduct of exploration, and shall provide
for full participation by such personnel in all
activities covered by the contract. Such training
programmes may be revised and developed
from time to time as necessary agreement”.

22

distinct period of the CTP respectively: (i) under
the Pioneer Investors’ regime (1988-2001); (ii)after the first set of exploration regulations
were adopted and the first contracts signed(2001-2013); and (iii) after the first assessment
undertaken on the CTP in 2013 (2013-present).
Participants were then informed that during
the Pioneer Investors’ regime, 27 nationals
from 19 countries received training. The
training content included lectures, practicalassignments and importantly, on-board
training on research vessels for a duration that
ranged from 9 to 12 months. Only two trainees
were women. The second period (2001-2013)
recorded ten individuals receiving training under
the CTP. Mr Mwango noted for workshop’s
participants that as part of the external study
commissioned by ISA in 2013 on the training

Box 3: Exploration Regulations
Section 8 of the standard clauses for exploration contracts of the Regulations on Prospecting and Exploration for Polymetallic Nodules(ISBA/19/C/17), Polymetallic Sulphides(ISBC/16/A/12) and Cobalt-rich Ferromanganese Crusts (ISBA18/A/11)“8.1 In accordance with the Regulations, theContractor shall, prior to the commencementof exploration under this contract, submit to
the Authority for approval proposed training
programmes for the training of personnel ofthe Authority and developing States, including
the participation of such personnel in all of theContractors’ activities under this contract.
8.2 The scope and financing of the training
programme shall be subject to negotiation between the Contractor, the Authority and thesponsoring State or States.
8.3 The Contractor shall conduct training programmes in accordance with the specificprogramme for the training of personnel referred to in section 8.1 hereof approved by the
Authority in accordance with the Regulations,which programme, as revised and developed
from time to time, shall become a part of thiscontract as schedule 3”.

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

and capacity-building obligations of exploration
contractors, a key recommendation was thefact that “regardless of the criteria applied inany historical review of training programmes
conducted by Contractors, and before themby Pioneer Investors, the end result is thatthe number of trainees and their equitable
geographical distribution are inadequate.
The higher-level goals of promoting greater
involvement by State Parties in the work of the
Authority and greater capacity development
within developing countries have fallen shortof any reasonable expectation”. One of theimportant outcomes of the aforementioned
report led to the development and adoption
by the LTC in 2013 of Recommendations forthe guidance of contractors and sponsoring
States relating to training programmes underplans of work for exploration8. Among its
important recommendations were procedures
for reporting on training activities, and therequirement that each contractor offer the
training equivalent of at least 10 trainees forevery 5-year period of their contract.

Some information on the financial aspect of
the CTP was also shared with the presenter
providing an overview of the monetary
resources expended by contractors to date tofulfil their obligations for training (see table 1).
Participants were also informed that of the
108 trainees, 35% were from Africa or AsiaPacific and 28% from Latin America and the
Caribbean. Of the total trainees, 15.74% (17)were from SIDS and 9.26% (10) from LDCs
and/or LLDCs (see table 2). In concluding, Mr
Mwango highlighted that in terms of gender
distribution, of the 108 candidates who havebenefited from the CTP between 2013 and2019, 49 were women. He noted that female
candidates represented 25% of the trainees
in 2014, 42% in 2017 and 50% in 2019 (seefigure 5), a gradual trend toward gender
parity. The gender equality in the latter years
was achieved through a deliberate strategy
implemented by the secretariat with thesupport and participation of the LTC.

Table 1: Funds expended on CTP (to date) and percentage of expended funds
against total costs of exploration operations
Contractor
IOM
BGR (PMN)BGR (PMS)COMRA (PMN, PMS & CFC)
CMC
DORD
GSR
Govt of India (PMS)JOGMECRep of Korea (PMN, PMS & CFC)TOML
UKSRL 1

Total on CTP(USD)
40,000220,000
475,000
820,000
120,000
156,000
94,500100, 000
217,238
490,000
134,500
260,300

Average pertrainee (USD)
10,00027,50047,50020,00030,00031,2009,450
20,00018,11017,500130,150% of total costsof Ops0.5-1.5%
0.5 %
1.2%
1%
Not available
4%
0.6 %
1%
7%
2%
2.5 %
1.3%

Source: ISA Secretariat, 2020
NB: The data used to develop this table was voluntarily provided by contractors in response to a survey circulated in November 2019and has not been verified by ISA’s Secretariat.

8 See ISBA/19/LTC/14, Recommendations for the guidance of contractors and sponsoring States relating to training
programmes under plans of work for exploration, 12 July 2013.

23

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Table 2: Geographical representation of all CTP trainees (2013-2019)
Regional Groups

Number oftrainees

Africa38

Asia and Pacific

37

East European

3

Georgia, Armenia and Belarus

Latin America andCaribbean

30

Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico and Trinidad andTobago

Total

108

37

Countries represented
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, D.R. Congo, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana,
Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Somalia andSouth Africa
Bangladesh, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, India, Indonesia,
Kiribati,Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore,
Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand

Source: ISA Secretariat, 2020

Figure 5: CTP trainees from 1994-2019 by gender
CTP TRAINEESFROM 1994-2019 BY GENDER
21

19

2019
15

2018

18

10

2017

9

12

2016

8

2015

4
1

10
3

2014
2013

2

1

2009

2

1

2008

2

1999
1997
1

1995
1994

4
5
7
10

Source: ISA Secretariat, 2020

Presentations were then made by several
contractors attending the workshop. In his
presentation, Mr John Parianos, Manager
Exploration and Polymetallic Nodules at Tonga
Offshore Mining Limited (TOML), highlighted
the key aspects of the training programmes
implemented. The presentation covered the24experiences of two trainees who are now seniorscientists with TOML and are themselves
training others. Specific consideration wasgiven to inform participants that such trainings
are also designed to engage nationals of thesponsoring State (Tonga) in the activities (seetable 3).

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Table 3: TOML training and capacity-building initiatives (2009-2019)ACTUAL SPENT ON NMT & TOML CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMMES, TOP$2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20132014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Total

TMPI, Ministryof Education & 5,863 23,258 4,050
Training

4,242

6,685

78,872

-

5,900

3,000

-

131,870

EcoCARES:
School Science
Competition

11,9508,500

10,000

5,027

6,506

2,100

-

56,183

5,160

4,884

4,871

10,000 2,100

Secondary
School Science
Textbook
Prizes
Ministry of
Health: Dental 20,000 20,000 19,954 20,000 19,730
SectionMinistryof Health:Casualty and
A&E
Ministryof Health:Ambulance
Service-

18,558 10,035

7,971

8,000

9,612

8,000

7,681

9,000

8,998

8,907

10,00016,533 18,466-

YiB & Eqpmt
for Educational
Institutions

14,679*AtenisiFoundation
10,000for Performing
Arts*Ministry of
Health, Niu’ui
Hospital
TOTALS

5,270 5,047

25,232--

142,955

13,500

4,134

4,886

83,101

10,125

4,714

-

-

39,520

9,890

-

-

-

37,795

10,00010,00010,00035,863 63,258 42,637 71,656 59,474 130,551 58,372 45,539 14,105 10,156 5,047 536,658

Source: TOML, 2020
NB:
1. * The Atenisi and Niu’ui projects were one-off projects
2. The funding is evaluated during the annual budget process, therefore Nautilus cannot guarantee programmes will be funded every
year.

Mr François Charlet, presented GSR’s
training programme and discussed several
componnts including shipboard training,
master’s degree training, and professional
training on oceans policy and law of thesea, which was jointly delivered with thesupport of the Rhodes Academy. Mr Charlet
highlighted that during the first 5-year phaseof its exploration contract, GSR has financially
supported 10 trainees, who successfully
obtained
completion
certificates(seetable 4). Four main types of training were
provided to candidates, namely: (i) a training
with the Rhodes Academy, at the Centre for
Oceans Law and Policy, which usually lastsfor 3 weeks; (ii) a training with the Antwerp/

25

26

Two year-fellowshipAs from September

Master Degree:“Ocean and Lakes”

Marine Geology/
Marine environmental/
Geophysics/HydraulicEngineering

Bachelor’s degree in :biology, biochemistry
and biotechnology,
chemistry, geology,
geography, geomatics,
bio-engineer science,
environmental
sciences

Contractor covers
travel cost & provides
accomodation andtuition fees.

http://oceansandlakes.
be/Year 7 & Year 9

DURATIONDATESoWDOMAINSADMISSION
CRITERIA

FINANCINGWEBSITE

YEARS

Source: GSR, 2020

2 x Nationals fromdeveloping countries
selected by ISA

Belgian Universities[VUB - UAntw Ugent]

NUMBEROF
TRAINEES

TYPE OFTRAINING

Year 7 & Year 9

https://www.emerald.uliege.be/Contractor covers travel cost &provides accomodation and tuition
fees.

Year 7 & Year 9Contractor covers
travel cost & provides
accomodation andtuition fees.

Year 8https://www.deme-gsr.
com/

Contractor covers travel
cost, medical, safety
training & provides
accomodation andtuition fees.

Technical orenvironmental Master
degreeLegal background

Bachelor’s degree in Engineeringwith basic knowledge in Geology(minimum 3 years of study or 180
ECTS credits) or a Bachelor’s Degreein Minerals Engineering, Mining
Engineering, Chemical Engineering,
Geological Engineering, MetallurgicalEngineering or a Master’s degree inGeology.

ROV-type and/or
environmental mooring
operations (technicalmore than scientific)

Law of the Sea

Master’s Programme in Resources
Engineering

Technical and/or environmental
participation
during the 2019 GSR
offshore campaign.

4 to 6 weeks
October / November

2 x Nationals fromdeveloping countries
selected from an ISA list

Contractor & partnercompanies[Belgium & offshore]https://apecporttraining.
com/course/dredgingtechnologies/
Year 7 & Year 9Contractor covers
travel cost & provides
accomodation andtuition fees.

Technical degree

All essential theoreticaland practical aspects
with regard to thedredging industry

High-Level technicalsimar on Dredging
Technologies

2 x Nationals fromdeveloping countrie s
selected from an ISA
list
2 weeks
June

Antwerp Port
Training Centre
Seminar on Dredging
Technologies

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Oceans Law and Policy

2 x Nationals fromdeveloping countries
selected from an ISA
list
2-3 weeks
Spring / Summer

TBC

PROFESSIONALEDUCATION

Master Degree: “EMerald”

Two year-fellowshipAs from September

2 x Nationals from developing
countries selected by ISA

Liege University [Belgium]

FELLOWSHIP EDUCATION

Table 4: ISA-GSR trainees

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Flanders Port Training Centre (APEC) which
comprises of a 2-week-long series of seminars
on dredging technologies and other offshore
engineering activities; (iii) shipboard training
onboard GSR exploration vessels, which often
lasts up to 6 weeks; and (iv) 2-year master’s
degree courses focused on Marine andLacustrine Biology and Geology.
Mr
Jun
Jiang, Deputy
Permanent
Representative of China to ISA, presented
COMRA’s training programme for the threecontracts it holds in the Area namely forpolymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulphides
and cobalt rich crust. The aim of COMRA withthese CTPs is to increase participation fromdeveloping member States, to transfer to or
improve the skills of participants and to improvethe management skills of the participants,
amongst others. In total, 33 individuals havebenefited from the trainings provided underthese contracts (see table 5).

Overall, the funding expended on training
by COMRA for the three contracts until
February 2020 was approximately $820,000.
Highlighting some challenges faced by COMRA
in the implementation of its legal obligations
on training, Mr Jiang indicated that in threecases selected candidates withdrew from thetraining so late that there was insufficient time
to bring in the reserve candidates leading to aloss of these opportunities.
Two additional presentations were also deliveredby former trainees of the CTP implemented
by JOGMEC. The first presentation wasby Ms Judith Owusu, Geochemist at the
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation. Ms
Owusu elaborated that the CTP had provided
valuable experience to compare her petroleum
geology experience with seabed minerals
geology – the former being concerned withminerals beneath the sea floor and the latterwith those on the seafloor. It also provided

Table 5: COMRA’s training programmes
Contract
polymetallic
nodules (20012016, extended)polymetallic
sulphides (20112026)

cobalt rich crust(2014-2029)

Number of training
provided9(four were trained
under the programmeestablished by
the Preparatory
Commission in 1995)
14

10

Topics covered
On-board abilities, marine science

Geological sampling and analysis,
geophysical data collection/
analysis, environmental studies,marine survey techniques, marine
engineering and techniques indoor,
mining, metallurgical processing
technology, marine microbiology
Geological sampling and analysis,
geophysical data collection/analysis,
environmental studies, marine
survey techniques, introduction tosubmersibles, marine engineeringand techniques indoor, mining,
metallurgical processing technology,
marine microbiology

Types of training
provided
At sea training (2),Master’s programme(2), PhD programme(1)

At sea training (10),engineering andtechnical training (2),fellowship training (2)At sea training (5),engineering andtechnical training (2),fellowship training (3)Source: -COMRA, 202027

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

at seabed minerals as they explore off-shore
petroleum in the future. She concluded her
presentation by making a recommendation
for CTP: a longer period should provide forsuch CTP, in her case, she missed out on theextended analysis of samples she helped toprepare.

Ms Judith Owusu, Geochemist (Ghana) – ADSR Expert

excellent experience to compare and contrast
land-based mining with marine mining. Ms
Owusu appreciated the experience that
included: introductory university lectures andat sea training including sample collection andpreparation. As an outcome of the training,
she has recommended her employers to look

Break-out Group Session I:
CTPParticipants initiated discussion on thedraft recommendations contained in thedraft assessment report prepared by the
ISA Secretariat. Brazil highlighted thatconsideration should be given to establish a
network of former CTP’s trainees. Myanmar
noted that the development of institutional
capacity was also an important elementfor developing States and as such should
be considered in the trainings provided bycontractors. Former CTP trainee, Mr Hank
Hedge, underscored that ISA should monitor
the impact of the training provided on trainees
as well as building on these trainings to develop
the skills of the trainees. The representative of
UNDESA highlighted the need to establish
strategic and innovative partnerships. It wasalso indicated that further efforts should be
28

The second was delivered by Mr Hank
Hedge, Geologist at the Ministry of Transportand Mining of Jamaica, who provided someinsights gained during his seven week atsea training between May and June 2017. Mr
Hedge also underscored the benefits accrued
from this experience including improved
investigative and analytical skills, professional
development, exposure and recognition,
networking and cultural exchange. As a resultof the practical knowledge on marine mineral
exploration he gained from the training, he has
made several presentations on the subject inJamaica. Further, JOGMEC has contributed
seabed mineral samples to his organisation’s
mineral repository.

made by ISA in drawing awareness of the public
and specialized institutions on CTPs. UKSRL
outlined the need for CTPs to developing atalent pool of the “workforce for the future”
and that in so doing enabling contractors
to develop specific activities to either“build” capacities or “develop” capacities.
A representative of IOC commended ISA in
progressing with the implementation of thehigh-level actions and associated outputs
listed in the High-Level Action Plan of ISA for
2019-2023 and emphasized the importance ofstrengthening institutional capacities. Tonga
insisted on the need to take into consideration
feedback reports from trainees as part of theindicators that could be developed to assess
the quality of the capacity development
activities implemented under the CTP. TOML
however commented that each trainee would
have a different experience and as such it
would be essential to ensure that objective
indicators are used.

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

SESSION 3

Key findings of the assessment of theEndowment Fund for Marine Scientific
Research in the Area
Chair: Mr Alans Evans, Head, International & Strategic Partnership Office, NOC
Rapporteur: Mr Gulardi Nurbintoro, Foreign Service Officer, Directorate for Legal
Affairs and Territorial, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Presenters
Mr Tearinaki Tanielu, Consultant“Key findings of the assessment of the Endowment Fund for Marine Scientific Research in
the Area”
Dr Jerôme Dyment, Senior Researcher, Geosciences Marines, Institut de Physique du Globede Paris & CNRS / past InterRidge chair“Capacity-building/development and academic research: an experience through InterRidgeand beyond”

Mr Tearinaki Tanielu recalled that the EFMSR
in the Area was established at the 12th
Session of the Assembly, in July 2006, withthe adoption of the resolution ISBA/12/A/119.
It became operational the subsequent year,
after the adoption of the terms of reference,
guidelines and procedures of the EFMSR10.
Pursuant to article 143 (2) and (3) of UNCLOS,
the main objective is to enable ISA to promoteand encourage the conduct of marine scientificresearch in the Area including through thedevelopment of programmes designed tobenefit developing States and technically lessdeveloped States. Accordingly, the EFMSR has
been established with the specific mandate to“promote and encourage the conduct of marine

Mr Tearinaki Tanielu, Consultant, ISA

9 See ISBA/12/A/11, Resolution establishing an endowment fund for marine scientific research in the Area, 16 August
2006.
10 See ISBA/13/A/6, Decision of the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority relating to the terms of reference,
guidelines and procedures for the International Seabed Authority Endowment Fund, 19 July 2007.

29

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

scientific research in the Area for the benefit of
the total amount disbursed from the interest
accrued on the capital in the form of awards
mankind as a whole, in particular by supporting
the participation of qualified scientists andfor projects. As of January 2020, this amounttechnical personnel from developing countries
was US $ 582,617 (see figure 6).
in marine scientific research programmes andoffering them opportunities to participate in
In volume, the main contributors are: Germany
training, technical assistance and scientific($ 276,719), Norway ($ 250,000), Japan ($cooperation programmes”. Participants were
100,000), the United Kingdom ($ 85,053) andinformed that under the terms and reference,
Mexico ($ 37,500). Other donors include Korea
AMOUNT
OF EFMSRFUNDINGDISBURSED
YEAR
guidelines
and proceduresof theEFMSR,($ 30,000), Spain PER($ 25,514),
China(USD)($ 20,000),
only interest accrued from the EFMSR can
Nigeria ($ 10,000), Monaco ($ 5,251) and Tonga
be utilized. Information was also given on($ 1,000) (see figure 7).

Figure 6: Amount of EFMSR’s funding disbursed per year (US$) (2008-2019)30,0002008

125,074
2009

60,451
2010

75,0002011

18,0002012

45,0002013

51,677
2014

39,8802015

22,5002016

22,0002017

32,5002018

27,5502019

Source: ISA Secretariat, 2020

TOTALFigure
CONTRIBUTION
BY DONOR TO THE EFMSR
7: Total contribution by donor to the EFMSR
China$20,000

Germany$276,719

Japan$100,000

Korea$30,000

MexicoMonacoNigeria$37,500$7,500$10,000

Norway$250,000$25,514

Spain
Tonga

$1,000UK
Source: ISA Secretariat, 202030

$42,500

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Mr Tainelu also outlined that as of December
2019, 145 qualified personnel from 50 countries
have benefited from the EFMSR. The majority
were from the Asia-Pacific region (39%) and
Africa (36%) whereas 16% were from theLatin and Caribbean region. Participants werealso informed that 69% were from SIDS11 and
31% were from LDCs12. No individuals from
LLDCs have benefitted yet from the EFMSR.
Approximately 39% of trainees were women(see figure 8).
Dr Jérôme Dyment, Senior Researcher at
the Institut de Physique du Globe de Parisand CNRS, delivered a presentation focusing
on the capacity-building approach followedby InterRidge, including through the activities
undertaken with funds granted by the
EFMSR. Having appraised participants of themembership and main objectives of InterRidge,
Dr Dyment described the InterRidge student

and Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme
designed to promote the involvement of young
scientists in international, collaborative, andinterdisciplinary studies of oceanic spreading
centres. Through this programme, selectedparticipant can benefit by up to US $ 5,000 of
support for activities in the field of ridge-crest
research. Since 2017, three fellows benefitted
from a granted funded in partnership with the
EFMSR of ISA to individuals from Iran, India andNigeria, under the ISA-Interridge Fellowship
which focuses on young researchers fromdeveloping
countries.
The
InterRidge
Cruise Bursaries is another tool offered byInterRidge to support early-career scientists.
These bursaries are given to support traveland subsistence costs to encourage newcollaborations across the InterRidge members
through enabling early-career scientists
to participate in mid-ocean ridge researchcruises. In addition to this, InterRidge provide

QUALIFIED PERSONNEL PER REGION
Figure 8: Number and percentage
of individuals
who have benefitted from the(DECEMBER
2019)
EFMSR by regions and gender (2006-2019)2%

145

WesternEuropeTrainees: 3

GRULAC
Trainees: 24

fromcountries

61%

16%

qualiﬁed personnel

50

4%ObserverstatesTrainees: 6

39%

3%

EasternEuropeTrainees: 4

39%

Asia-Paciﬁc
Trainees: 56

36%

AfricaTrainees: 52

Source: ISA Secretariat, 202011 Cook Islands, Fiji, Guyana, Jamaica, Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Suriname, Tonga and Trinidad
and Tobago.
12 Angola, Bangladesh, Madagascar, Mauritania, Sierra Leone.

31International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

help for early-career scientists to participate
ridge-related meetings and workshops. In
conclusion, the presenter highlighted theimportance to ensuring that: (i) fundamental
knowledge of deep sea biodiversity is taken
into consideration in capacity development
initiatives; and (ii) funding is spent on the basisof clear assessment of individuals’ capacitybuilding/development needs.

Discussion:

Particular emphasis was made on the needto develop a list of needs and priorities ofdeveloping States, Members of ISA, as well as
to consider possible solutions on the limitationsof the EFMSR as it relates to resource
disbursement and resource mobilization.
This led to detailed discussions on: (i) the
crucial importance for the EFMSR to take into
consideration the needs of developing Statesthat are members of ISA; (ii) attracting potential
donors including by exploring the possibility
for contractors who have not been able toselect any trainee to be allowed to reallocate

Break-out Group Session II:EFMSRThis break-out session started with a list of
points highlighted by the Chair. These points
related to the:1. Identification of needs of developing
States, collated and made available by
ISA which could then be used to guideapplications and the selection process
followed by the Advisory Panel;
2. Limitations associated with the use offunds from the EFMSR; and3. Key elements to be taken into consideration
to address issues related to attracting
donors and using the EFMSR for non-MSR
purposes.

32

the unused fund for training to the EFMSR;(iii) the difficulty in attracting donors due tothe limitations imposed on the use of the
EFMSR and ; (iv) the issue of reallocation of
the unspent interest of the EFMSR to support
activities or requests independent from theobjectives assigned to the EFMSR.
Participants expressed some concerns thatthe current restrictions imposed for the
disbursement of EFMSR (i.e. only interest on
the capital can be used) prevented ISA to fulfil its
obligations under UNCLOS while, at the sametime, could significantly discourage potential
donors from contributing to the EFMSR. In
line with this, participants agreed that thedevelopment of a more programmatic approachby ISA could effectively increase the impact of
the EFMSR by ensuring that the use of theavailable funding could meet the priority needs
identified by developing States. Participantsalso considered the recommendations listed
in the draft assessment report prepared by the
Secretariat during the break-out group session.

Discussion:

Mexico commented on the limitations attachedto the use of funds from the EFMSR i.e. useof interest only and the subsequent difficulty
to attract donors. The workshop facilitator
indicated that based on the discussion heldin plenary, it seemed that there was a clear
support to review the terms of references of
the EFMSR, however there was no consensus
for using the EFMSR for anything other thanits current intended purposes. Adding on this,the Chair drew the attention of participantson the issue of the list of needs of developing
States that could assist in establishing a listof priorities, to be considered by institutions,when submitting application for funding under
the EFMSR. Indonesia also outlined that
language barrier was an impediment in certain

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

cases and suggested that one solution to
overcome this challenge could be to develop‘training of trainers’ programme. On the issueof the limitation of the financial structure of
the EFMSR, China suggested that a cap or a
maximum of capital would allow for the utilityof resources above and beyond that limit.
InterRidge pointed out that a useful initiative
would be to develop a specific fellowship in

partnership to focus on undertaking studies
on existing data held by ISA. Building on
this suggestion, the ISA Secretary-General
highlighted that a good way of making the
EFMSR more project oriented could be toorganize two fellowships per year which would
focus on specific technical priorities of theSecretariat.

(L – R): Mr Gulardi Nurbintoro, Foreign Service Officer, Directorate for Legal Affairs and Territorial, Ministry ofForeign Affairs, Indonesia, Mr Alan Evans, Head, International & Strategic Partnership Office, and H.E Mathu
Joyini, Deputy Director, Diplomatic Training and Support Unit of the Department of International Relations andCooperation (DIRCO)

33

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

SESSION 4

Key findings of the assessment of theInternship Programme
Chair: Ms Alex Herman, Seabed Minerals Commissioner, Cook Islands
Rapporteur: Mr Antonio Cruz-Diaz, Minister, Deputy Head of Mission, Permanent
Mission of Mexico to ISA

Presenters
Ms Kayon Wray, Senior Training Assistant, ISA“Assessment of ISA Internship Programme: impact, challenges and potential solutions”
Dr Ximena Hinrichs, Registrar, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (remotepresentation)“Capacity-building at ITLOS”
Ms Jessica Howley, Associate Legal Officer, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the
Sea of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs (DOALOS) (remote presentation)“Capacity-building and Fellowship Programmes implemented by DOALOS”
Mr David Fernando Garzón Pico, Former ISA Intern“Overview of experience as an ISA Intern”

In her opening remarks, the Chair, Ms Alex
Herman, insisted on the importance of
capacity-building programmes for developing
States, particularly as they can contributesignificantly to the development of individual’scapacities who support national governmentsin achieving their own development objectives.

Ms Kayon Wray, ISA Secretariat

34

The first presentation was delivered by Ms
Kayon Wray, Interim Senior Training Assistantat ISA. It was intended to provide an overview
of the objectives of the Internship Programme(IP) as well as the nature and administration
processes in implementing it. This was theopportunity to recall that the ISA’s IP had been
established in 2014 with two main objectives.

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

First, to provide a framework through which
students and young government officials fromdiverse academic backgrounds gain exposure
to the work and functions of ISA. Second, toenable ISA to benefit from the assistance ofqualified students and young government
officials specialized in various skills within thescope of activities of ISA. All applicants to ISA’s
IP should normally not be more than 35 yearsof age. As of December 2019, a total of 30
university graduates and government officials
had participated in the IP. The vast majority ofthese interns were women (78%) and most ofthem had undertaken their internships within
OLA or OEMMR (See figure 9).
In terms of regional distribution, Ms Wray
indicated that for the period 2014-2019, 32%of the interns were from SIDS13 when 33% ofinterns were from western Europe and 23%
from the Latin American and the Caribbean
region. Three interns were from observerStates. However, no interns came from Africa
or from Eastern Europe nor from LDCs or
LLDCs (see figure 10 and figure 11).

BREAKDOWN OF INTERNS PER OFFICE AND YEAR
Figure 9: Overview of the internships
by office and per year within ISA Secretariat(2014-2019)(2014-2019)

OLA

3

2

3

2

OEMMR

6

2

2

6

1

1

2

EOSG
TOTAL

3

4

3

12

3

5

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

= 18
= 10
=2
= 30

Source: ISA Secretariat, 2020

Figure 10: Numberof interns
with theSecretariat
by regional groups
NUMBEROF INTERNSBYISAREGIONAL
GROUPS(2014-2019)(2014-2019)

10

10

7

3

AsiaPaciﬁc

WesternEuropean(WEOG)GRULAC

ObserverSource: ISA Secretariat, 2020

13 Cook Islands, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Tonga.

35

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

GEOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION OF INTERNSBY REGIONAL GROUPS
Figure 11: Geographic representationof interns with the ISA Secretariat by(2014-2019)
regional groups (2014-2019)34%

Asia-Paciﬁc

33%

WesternEurope23%

GRULAC

10%

ObserverSource: ISA Secretariat, 2020

Dr Ximena Hinrichs, Registrar at theInternational Tribunal for the Law of the
Sea (ITLOS), delivered a presentation via
video, on the capacity-building programmes
implemented by the Tribunal. She informed theworkshop’s participants that the ITLOS’ IP wasestablished in 1997 with the objective of giving
interns the opportunity to gain an understandingof the work and functions of ITLOS. Funding
has been available for applicants fromdeveloping countries in order to assist them incovering the costs incurred by the internship(travel costs and accommodation). The TrustFund for the Law of the Sea is currently used
to provide financial assistance to interns. As ofthe end of 2019, a total of 375 interns from95 different member States had participatedin the programme. Of those, 163 interns havebenefited from funding. Dr Hinrichs indicatedthat ITLOS also has a capacity-building andtraining programme on dispute settlement
under UNCLOS which is conducted with thesupport of the Nippon Foundation. In 2019,
the thirteenth edition was launched. Nationalsof Bahrain, Chile, Côte d’Ivoire, Guyana and
Lithuania are currently participating (July 2019
– March 2020). Fellows are sponsored andreceive a grant (The Nippon Foundation Grant)
that aims at covering the costs incurred bytheir participation. The programme consists oflectures on topical issues related to the law of
the sea and maritime law and training courses
on negotiation and delimitation. Some visits of
key institutions in the field of law of the sea,36

maritime law or international dispute settlement
are also organized. Dr Hinrichs also informed
the workshop’s participants that ITLOS also
runs regional workshops and that so far, 14 ofthem have been organized in: Dakar, Kingston,
Libreville, Singapore, Bahrain, Buenos Aires,
Cape Town, Fiji, Mexico City, Nairobi, Bali,
San José, Mindelo and Montevideo. The
purpose of these workshops is to provide
government experts working on maritime andlaw of the sea matters with insights into theprocedures for disputes settlement containedin Part XV of UNCLOS. Particular emphasis
is placed on the jurisdiction of ITLOS and theprocedural rules applicable to cases before
it. The workshops are designed for officials
and government experts specializing in thefield of the law of the sea from Ministries ofForeign Affairs, Justice, Fisheries, Transport
and the Marine Environment. Dr Hinrichs also
outlined the “Summer Academy” organizedby the International Foundation of the Law of
the Sea (IFLOS), with the support of ITLOS.
The “Summer Academy” focuses on thesettlement of disputes under UNCLOS aswell as other critical issues in the field of thelaw of the sea and maritime law. Lectures
are provided by judges of ITLOS and otherinternational experts. The “Summer Academy”
is open to highly qualified professionals andexperts from all over the world. The IFLOS
Summer Academy is supported by a rangeof donors including Germany and the Nippon
Foundation. When concluding, Dr Hinrichs

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment(L-R) Mr Antonia Cruz-Diaz, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy and Alternate Permanent Representative of
Mexico to the ISA and Mrs Alex Hermann, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Commissioner

indicated that based on previous assessmentof the Nippon foundation’s ITLOS Programme,
an alumni network has been established toallow exchange and sharing of experiences
and knowledge between former and current
fellows and interns. Through the Network,
contact was maintained with ITLOS andongoing engagement with current fellows
and interns is made possible, including
presentation opportunities in various fora.
Ms Jessica Howley, Associate Legal Officer
at DOALOS, delivered a presentation which
provided an overview of the capacity-building
programmes implemented by DOALOS. Ms
Howley outlined that DOALOS delivers demanddriven assistance at the global, regional andnational levels to assist in the reinforcement of
the capacity of States and relevant entities in
the implementation of UNCLOS and the wider
ocean affairs framework. It does so throughthe provision of technical assistance andtraining programmes, including those aimed
at assisting States in the implementation of
UNCLOS and related legal frameworks, ocean

policies, the development of blue economies
and building more sustainable ocean-basedvalue chains, and through the implementationof several annual Fellowship programmes.
It also administers various trust funds aimed
at assisting developing States, including
in relation to participation in ocean-related
intergovernmental processes. With respect to
the Fellowship programmes, in partnership with
the Nippon Foundation, DOALOS implements
three Fellowship programmes: (i) the UNNippon Foundation Fellowship; (ii) the UNNippon Foundation Thematic Fellowship; and(iii) the UN-Nippon Foundation Critical Needs
Fellowship. These Fellowships are longerterm, cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary
training programmes which aim to provide thenecessary foundation for States to develop
comprehensive ocean policies and to assist a
new generation of ocean practitioners to meetcurrent challenges through implementing
sustainable ocean-based development in linewith relevant international legal frameworks.
So far, 200 Fellows from over 80 States havebenefited from the training opportunities

37

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

offered by these Fellowship programmes.
DOALOS also implements the Hamilton Shirley
Amerasinghe (HSA) Memorial Fellowship
Programme, which was established byGeneral Assembly Resolution in 1981 andis funded through voluntary contributions.
Ms Howley provided an overview of thedifferent formats and focuses of each of theFellowship programmes. The Critical Needs
and Thematic Fellowships consist of New
York-based training programmes, while the
HSA and UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowships
take place in two phases: the first consistsof a training programme held at DOALOS,
in New York, whilst in the second phase,
Fellows spend six months at a Host Institution,
where they research and elaborate a written
thesis. DOALOS maintains a network ofpartner institutions including ISA. Ms Howley
concluded her presentation with an overview
of the UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship
Programme Alumni Network which aims toserve the evolving capacity and networking
needs of the Fellowship Alumni as they
progress through their careers, in recognitionof the continuing and rapid developments
in ocean affairs and the law of the sea. The
Network fosters greater understanding
between individuals and reinforces a broader
and more consistent application of ocean
governance frameworks.
Invited to share his experience as former
ISA Intern (2017), Mr David Garzón Picohighlighted that amongst the benefits accrued
was the ability to share the knowledge
gained with other colleagues in Ecuador
and as such, reinforcing the expertise of thenational delegation at international meetings
such as the meetings of UNCLOS’ States
parties and ISA’s annual sessions. Mr Garzon
Pico also underscored the importance ofrelationships established with fellow interns
or experts during the internship. Participants
were informed that in terms of content, thisinternship had been the opportunity to workin OEMMR and to undertake data procession,
create maps and do some research.

38

Discussion:

A representative of NOC enquired if the ISA
was considering some options to mobilize
contributions to support the IP. ISA clarified
that some options were indeed underconsideration. A representative of NORI asked
what a minimum cost would need to be madeavailable to financially support interns fromdeveloping countries. ISA indicated that aminimum of US $ 5,000 would be necessary
for one month for each intern in order toensure that costs related to accommodation,living and travelling expenses be covered.
Participants also raised the need for ISA to
increase visibility and awareness on the IP
and to provide the potential support. Ghana
highlighted that the ITLOS Alumni network wasa good example and that ISA could consider
it in establishing such alumni mechanism.
Several participants also noted that the alumni
network established by DOALOS presented
some interest in professionals and experts
from developing countries to exchange andengage.

Mr Solomon Korbieh, Legal Advisor, Permanent
Mission of Ghana to the UN

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

SESSION 5

Towards a more programmatic approachto deliver ISA’s capacity development
activities
Chair: H.E Carlos Den Hartog, Permanent Representative of Brazil to ISA
Rapporteur: Mr Tearinaki Tanielu, Consultant, ISA
Presenters
Mr Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General, ISA“ISA’s programmatic approach: context and suggested way forward”
Mr Sai Navoti, Chief, SIDS Unit, UNDESA“Case study 1: Abyssal Initiative for Blue Growth”
Mr Paul Msoma, int. Director ADMC, Africa Union - Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon, ISA “Case study 2: the African Deep Seabed Resources project”

Session V started with a presentation by ISA’s
Secretary-General on the evolution towards
a more programmatic approach to be followed
by ISA in relation to capacity-building. Mr
Lodge highlighted that this new approach
was embedded in the Strategic Plan of ISA for
2019-2023 and more specifically reflected in
Strategic Directions 5 (“Building capacity fordeveloping States”) and 6 (“Ensure integrated
participation by developing States”). As partof the benefits observed and expected, it
was indicated that such change in operation
would translate into a more proactive approachenabling shared consensus as well as a better
identification and monitoring of the objectives
to be met to address the needs identified by
ISA Members. On this point, the SecretaryGeneral informed the participants of theworkshop that as a way forward the Secretariat
will undertake a consultation with developing
States, Members of ISA to assess theirpriority needs. On the basis of the informationcollected, the ISA Secretariat will develop amatrix and identify how to adjust or organize
its capacity-building/development activities to
respond to the needs identified. This would
then be used to mobilize funding and establish
strategic partnerships.
Mr Sai Navoti, Chief of the SIDS Unit at the
Department of Economic and Social Affairsof the United Nations Secretariat (UN-DESA)
presented the Abyssal Initiative project.
Tailored to address the needs identified by theparticipating countries, this project concretizes
the joint Voluntary Commitment registeredby ISA and UNDESA at the 2017 UN Ocean
Conference (#OceanAction16538). Designed
to assist build the capacity of small island
developing States (SIDS), in particular, thefour Pacific sponsoring States, namely, Nauru,
Tonga, Cook Islands and Kiribati, this project
aimed at supporting them in meeting their
obligations under international law. Mr Navoti
39

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

informed the workshop’s participants that the
project had completed in 2019 three regional
workshops in Tonga, Nauru and Kiribati andthat two additional workshops will be heldin 2020. One was scheduled to take place in
the Cook Islands with the view of addressing
the needs identified to develop capacities of
P-SIDS’ experts in the field of environmental
management and monitoring. Another one
would be held in Tonga to build the capacitiesof P-SIDS’ experts on all the issues associatedwith benefit sharing.
Mr Paul Msoma, interim Director of theAfricanMinerals
Development
Centre(ADMC) of the Africa Union (AU) and Dr Marie
Bourrel-Mckinnon from ISA delivered a jointpresentation on the African Deep Seabed
Resources (ADSR) project which is a partnership
between ISA, AU and the Norwegian Agency
for Development Cooperation (NORAD).
The policy context within which this project(#OceanAction16374) was taking place wasrecalled and in particular that it was a responseto the needs expressed by the African Union
and African States to engage further with the

Break-out Group Session III
The break-out session held in the context ofSession V addressed several issues, including:development of resource mobilization strategy;
establishment of partnerships and alliances
to leverage resources; ensuring national
ownership in the process; considering options
to improve the capacity of ISA to deliver
programmatic approach; and dissemination andsharing of information between countries andbetween organizations to identify synergies.
On the issue of the identification of needs ofdeveloping States, the workshop’s participants
recognized the importance for ISA to develop
a dedicated mechanism. Argentina underlinedthat the identification of priority needs should
be country-driven with a view to encourage

40

sustainable development of oceanic resourcesin support to their Blue Economy. As such, theproject had two complementary objectives.
First, ensure that decision-making processesof African States are better informed. Second,enhance the technical capacity and expertiseof African professionals. Presenters also
informed that, as of January 2020, already 65
experts from African countries had benefitted
from the activities implemented in the context
of the ADSR project whilst it was expected thatat the end of it, more than 100 of individuals
would have benefitted.

Discussion:

Several participants commanded the results
achieved through these two projects. NOC
highlighted the strategic element of building
capacity to meet the priority needs identified
by countries. UNDESA, Tonga, Nauru andthe Cook Islands commented further on
how interest and needs of P-SIDS sponsoring
States had been taken into account to design
the Abyssal Initiative project and how such an
approach has proven to generate immediate
positive results.

country-ownership.
Discussing
howa“programmatic approach” could be further
progressed, participants outlined that SD 5 andSD 6 embedded the shift of approach in orderto improve the impact of ISA’s capacity-building/ development activities and programmes.
Participants also agreed that ISA should
develop a resource mobilization strategy whilst
envisaging potential options to strengthen
the capacity of the ISA Secretariat to drive
this process. Participants recommended aswell that ISA continue building alliances andpartnerships to leverage resources. Costa
Rica highlighted that some consideration
should be given to expand activities currently
undertaken under the Abyssal Initiative project
and the ADSR project to other geographicalregions.

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

SESSION 6

The potential contribution ofregional centres to the achievementof SDG14
Chair: Mr Nyan Lin Aung, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Myanmar to the United
Nations
Rapporteur: Dr Ulrich Schwarz-Schampera, Head of Section “Ore Deposit Geology
and Analytical Fingerprint”, BRG

Presenters
Mrs Jihyun Lee, Director of the Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources,
ISA – Dr Shi Xianpeng, National Deep Sea Centre“Case study: ISA-China Joint Training Centre- update, objectives, activities, program of work,
way forward”
Mr Jun Jiang, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to ISA“Video presentation of the ISA-China JTRC”

Session VI was chaired by Mr Nyan Lin Aung,from the Permanent Mission of Myanmar
to the United Nations who briefly provided
an overview of the scope of articles 275
and 276 of UNCLOS which highlight theimportant of the establishment of marine
scientific centres and transfer of technology,
particularly for developing countries. Dr Ulrich
Schwarz-Schampera, Head of Section “OreDeposit Geology and Analytical Fingerprint”
at BRG acted as rapporteur. The Chair who
recalled that articles 275 and 276 of UNCLOS
outlined the potential contribution of nationaland regional centres for the promotion andencouragement of marine scientific centres
and transfer of technology, particularly fordeveloping countries.
The first presentation was delivered by Mrs
Jihyun Lee, Director of OEMMR at ISA, on theobjectives, future activities and programmeof work of the newly established ISA-China

Joint Training Centres (JTRC). After recallingthe operational framework within which the
JTRC has been established (UNCLOS, ISA
Strategic Plan for 2019-2023, Memorandumof Understanding signed in 2019 between
ISA and the Ministry of Natural Resourcesof China), Mrs Lee provided further details
on the operational framework of the JTRC.
The workshop’s participants were informedthat the ISA-China JTRC is composed ofthree departments under the supervision of
a Director guided by a Steering Committee
comprising Chinese and international experts(see figure 12 and figure 13). Mrs Lee also
indicated that the JTRC will focus on two typesof activities: (i) research (policies, technologies
and best practice related to the protection of themarine environment, including the prevention,
reduction and control of marine pollution; andmonitoring trends and development in deepsea mining technology) and, (ii) organizationof conferences/seminars and workshops
41

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

to promote scientific and technologicalexchanges. Additional information was also
given in relation to the sources of funding to
be mobilized.

A video presentation of the JTRC was thenintroduced by Mr Jun Jiang, Deputy Permanent
Representative of China to ISA.

JTRC OPERATING FRAMEWORK
Figure 12: JTRC operating framework

Steering Committee
Total 7 members:
3 nominated by ISA
3 nominated by China
JTRC Director

Director
Research
Department

Training
Department
Administrative
Department
Source: JTRC, 2020

MEMBERSOF
THE JTRC’SSTEERINGCOMMITTEE
Figure 13:
Membersof the JTRC’s
Steering Committee
LIU FENG

Chairman of the Steering Committee (suggested)
Secretary-General, COMRAGEORGY CHERKASHOVQIAN WANG

LTC member, ISAJIHYUN LEE

Director, OEMMR, ISA

Deputy Director-General of
the Department ofInternational Cooperation,
NMR of China

Steering
Committee(recommended)

YOU-QUAN XIANG

Deputy Director-Generalof China Oceanic
Development
FoundationWU GU
GORDON PATERSON
LTC member, ISA

Source: JTRC, 202042

Director of JTRC
Director of National Deep
Sea Centre of China

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Break-out Group Session IV:
Regional Centres
This session was followed by an interactive
break-out group discussion in which
participants stressed the importance of
establishing strategic partnerships withexisting regional institutions with a view ofcreating a platform to strengthen international
cooperation for capacity building/development
and transfer of marine science technology
instead of establishing new regional centres
in each region. An appropriate example was
the United Nations Regional Courses inInternational Law for Africa, Asia-Pacific andLatin America and the Caribbean, annuallyorganized by the Codification Division of theUnited Nations Office of Legal Affairs. The
participants considered that the regionalcourses, in partnership with respective
regional institution and host country, can beused as a regular platform to provide capacity
building/development and transfer of marine
science technology for regional countries.

Another point of discussion related to thepossible challenges to maintain sustainablefunding for such initiative. Participants agreed
to recommend to ISA to consider approachingregional institutions to co-share cost of
initiatives carried out at the regional level.
One participant suggested that emphasis
also needed to be placed on establishment of
online platform to share information and theoutcome of marine scientific research. In thisregard, participant expressed their support to
the idea of establishing an “audiovisual library”
suggested by the facilitator. An example was
the Audiovisual Library created by the Officeof the Legal Affairs of the United Nations.
The participants also recommended that ISA
identifies the possible regional institutions
and then engage with them to identify thecapacity needs of countries in the regions.
Participants also suggested the ISA to design
the structure of the arrangement based onneeds assessment of the developing states,
especially SIDS and LDCs through theirrespective regional institutions.

43International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

SESSION 7

Assessment of capacity needs andpriorities
Chair: H.E Duncan Laki, Permanent Mission of Uganda to the United Nations
Rapporteur: Mr Sai Navoti, Chief, SIDS Unit, UNDESA

Presenters
USG Fekitamoeloa Tpoupai Utoikamanu, High Representative for small island States, least
developed countries and land-locked developing countries, UN-OHRLLS“Importance of capacity-building for SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs in the context of the 2030 Agenda
and the other high-level frameworks”
Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon, Senior Policy Officer – Special Assistant to the Secretary –General, ISA“The identification of capacity development needs and priorities by developing States – What
methodology?”
Mr Joshua Setipa, Director, Technology Bank for the LDCs
“Overview of the Technology Bank for the LDCs”
Dr Luciana Genio, Environment Analyst, ISA“Overview of potential future capacity needs in deep sea research relating to the protectionof the marine environment”
Professor Ronán Long, Director, World Maritime University- Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute“Enhancing the Role of Women in Marine Scientific Research”
Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon, Senior Policy Officer – Special Assistant to the SecretaryGeneral, ISA“Enhancing the role of women in MSR through capacity-building”

Session VII took place in two times. The
first part was held on Tuesday 11 February2020 and the second part on Wednesday 12
February 2020. This session was chaired by
Ambassador Duncan Laki, Legal Counsel, at
the Permanent Mission of Uganda to the UN.
Mr Sai S. Navoti, Chief of the SIDS Unit at
UN-DESA acted as Rapporteur.
44

The
Under
Secretary-General,
H.E.
Ms Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, High
Representative for the LDCs, LLDCs and
SIDS delivered a presentation outlining the“Importance of capacity- building for LDCs,
LLDCs, and SIDS in the context of the 2030
Agenda and other high-level frameworks”.
Highlighting that these group of countries wereInternational workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

the most vulnerable, the Under SecretaryGeneral underscored that capacity-building
was a critical element of the internationalframeworks setting out the sustainable
development priorities of these countries forthe ten years to come, namely: the Istanbul
Programme of Action for the LDCs, theVienna Programme of Action for LLDCs andthe SAMOA Pathway for SIDS. Accordingly,
it was possible to identify the following key
action areas for strengthening these countries’
capacities: (i) increase and foster foreign
direct investment, (ii) strengthen international
cooperation, (iii) promote investment inresearch and development, and (iv) strengthen
multi-stakeholder partnerships.
A second presentation was delivered by
Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon, Senior Policy
Officer and Special Assistant to the SecretaryGeneral at ISA, and focused on the approachand methodology that will be followed
by ISA to undertake the identification of
capacity development needs and prioritiesof developing States, Members of ISA. In sodoing she indicated that the Secretariat willconsult Members on what would be theirpriority needs with a view of compiling the
responses received in a matrix of the needs.
It is expected that such matrix could be used
to enable, as requested by the ISA Strategic
Plan and High-Level Action Plan for 2019-2023,
to adjust – when needed – ISA’s capacity
development programmes and initiatives.
Mr Joshua Setipa, Director of the United
Nations Technology Bank (UN-TB) provided
an overview of the UN-TB which was theopportunity to recall participants that this entity
has been established in 2018 with the objective
to enhancing the contribution of science,technology and innovation for sustainable
development for LDCs. Mr Setipa underscoredthe importance of enabling access to newtechnologies for LDCs particularly in relation to
the 2030 Agenda. Emphasis was then placedon the three capacity development activities
currently undertaken by UN-TB, namely: (i)the UN Technology Innovation Labs, (ii) theTechnology Transfer programme and, (iii) the
Capacity development – Geospatial Information
Technologies. Mr Setipa also indicated that
as of February 2020, 2600 experts from 15
different countries have been trained (sinceJune 2018). In terms of financing, the presenter
indicated that the UN-TB was entirely fundedby extra budgetary sources and operates inclose cooperation with governments, otherUN agencies, civil society, the private sector
and academia. In concluding his presentation
Mr Setipa highlighted potential areas forcooperation with ISA such as partnership indelivery of technical assistance, technology
needs assessment; training focusing on
research activities; and development of joint
initiatives in LDCs’ conferences.
The fourth presentation of Session VII wasdelivered by Dr Luciana Genio, Environmental
Analyst at ISA. This presentation aimed atproviding an overview of the potential future
capacity needs in deep sea research related
to the protection of the marine environment.
Highlighting the importance of marine

Ms Luciana Genio, ISA Secretariat

45

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

scientific research for the development ofrobust environmental management systems,
Dr Genio underscored that the future needsof deep-sea environmental research would
essentially target: (i) an increase of basic
knowledge, (ii) cost-effective and standardized
methodologies, and (iii) improved synergies
and resource mobilization. Then the presenter
detailed the “Sustainable Seabed Knowledge
Initiative (SSKI)”, currently under development
by ISA in partnership with research institutions,which will create an innovative knowledge
framework to advance global understanding ofdeep-sea biodiversity and resilience of deepsea life to anthropogenic change. In conclusion,
Dr Genio offered some prospective remarks
on what could be the future needs in capacity
development in relation to deep sea research,
including seagoing and land-based training forcollection and analysis of scientific data.
The second part of Session VII held on
Wednesday 12 February 2020 started with apresentation delivered by Professor RonánLong, Director at the World Maritime University(WMU) - Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute. Dr
Long’s presentation was entitled “Enhancing
the role of women in marine scientific research”
and aimed at highlighting the capacity-building
impacts of the work undertaken by WMU
in general and more particularly, in relation
to women empowerment. The workshop’s
participants were reminded of the specificrole of WMU in relation to capacity-building
and its status of post graduate University
established by the International Maritime
Organization in 1993. Since its establishment,
the WMU has graduated 5167 candidates
from 170 nationalities, 90% of whom arefrom developing countries. Of these, 1110 arefemales. Emphasis was also placed on theefforts of WMU to contribute to this important
goal in the context of the UN Decade of
Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Professor Long recalled that this initiative wasrooted in the support expressed in May 201846

by Ambassador Heather Grant representing
the Government of Canada at the Inaugurationof the Global Ocean Institute to conduct
gender equality research with WMU. In April
2019, the President of WMY, Dr Cleopatra
Doumbia-Henry and Dr Genevieve Béchard,
Hydrographer General of Canada, signed theGrant Agreement between WMU and theCanadian Department of Fisheries and Ocean.
Few months later, in January 2020, this led tothe organization of the first gender workshop
conducted with an international expert working
with WMU, Professor Susan Buckingham. The
presenter then outlined the project architecture
and project team as well as the work plan andpriority research themes.
The last presentation was delivered by
Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon who gave abriefing on the specific initiative undertaken by
ISA since 2017 to enhance the role of womenin deep sea research. The presenter recalledthat this initiative originated in ones of the
Voluntary Commitments formally registeredby ISA at the 2017 UN Ocean Conference(#OceanAction15467).
This
Voluntary
Commitment was specifically designed tocontribute to the implementation of SDG
14 “Life below water” and SDG 5 “Genderequality”. Dr Bourrel-McKinnon highlighted
that this initiative was officially launched in
March 2018 when ISA, in partnership with
UN-OHRLLS, held a joint side-event on themargins of 62nd Session of the Commission
on the Status of Women (CSW62) that wasorganized at the UN Headquarters, in New
York (“Enhancing the role of Women in marine
deep sea scientific research to achieve theGoals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development by the vulnerable
countries”). Dr Bourrel-McKinnon thenindicated that further elements were currently
under development with ISA to progress theimplementation of this commitment for which
the current partnerships with UN-OHRLLS andWMU will be instrumental.

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Break-out Group Session VIII:
Special needs of SIDS, LDCs
and LLDCs under Session
VII essentially focused
Secretariat
The break-out session that was held under
Session VII essentially focused on therecommendations listed in the draft assessment
report prepared by the Secretariat. Participants
acknowledged the existence of internationallyagreed sustainable development priorities foreach group of countries concerned, noting
in particular that the Istanbul Programmeof Action elaborates the capacity needsof LDCs, the Vienna Programme of Action
addresses the needs of the LLDCs and the
Samoa pathway sets out the priorities on
capacity needs of SIDs. Participants to thisbreak-out session also acknowledged thatthese groups of countries were special cases
for sustainable development, and each had
peculiar needs in that respect. The group thenconsidered the recommendations that makespecific references to LDCs, LLDCs and SIDs
contained in the draft assessment report
prepared by the Secretariat in preparationof the workshop. It was noted that of the
44 recommendations contained therein, six
directly related to LDCs, LLDCs and SIDs.
These included recommendations 1, 8, 21, 22,33 and 44.

Participants also took the opportunity to discussmatters relating to capacity development andcapacity-building in general and highlighted theimportance for the Secretary-General of ISA
to consider creating a matrix or a data bankcontaining;
1. Information supplied by Members andother stakeholders stipulating or listing thecapacity priorities and needs; and2. Information regarding existing institutions,frameworks, and all mechanisms currently
available to be accessed by developing
countries.

It was also noted that these recommendations
were left sporadically throughout the draft
assessment report, under their respective
specific themes. Accordingly, while participants
generally supported all recommendations,they also suggested that the ISA Secretariat
considers the order of these recommendations,with the view to grouping them together.

Dr Suzan El-Gharabawy, National Institute
Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandriaof47International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

SESSION 8

Building strategic partnerships in
support of ISA’s capacity development
programmes and initiatives
Chair: H.E Gina Guillen-Grillo, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to ISA
Rapporteur: Mr Paul Msoma, Interim Director, Africa Minerals Development Centre,
African Union

Presenters
Dr Cesar Toro, Head of IOCARIBE Secretariat“Building synergies and opportunities through the UN Decade of Ocean Science to enhance
the capacity development programmes and initiatives of ISA”
Mr Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General, ISA“The Future of capacity development and technology transfer to meet the needs of developing
States members of ISA”

Session VIII was chaired by H.E Gina GuillenGrillo, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica
to ISA. Mr Paul Msoma, Interim Director of
the AMDC-AU acted as rapporteur.
Dr Cesar Toro, representative of IOC-UNESCO,
provided participants with an overview of thework currently undertaken by his organizationin preparation of the UN Decade of Ocean
Science for Sustainable Development (20212030) and how important this would be inorder to “Building synergies and opportunities
through the UN Decade of Ocean Science
to enhance the capacity development
programmes and initiatives of ISA”. Dr
Toro outlined that ocean science currently
accounts for only between 0,04% and 4% of
total research and development expenditures
worldwide. In this context, the UN Decade of
Ocean Science could and should be understoodas a global collective and investment framework
to close the knowledge gaps for ocean
48

Dr Cesar Toro, Head of IOCARIBE Secretariat

science. As such, seven priority research anddevelopment areas were identified as follows:(i) comprehensive mapping (digital atlas) of
the ocean; (ii) comprehensive ocean observing
system; (iii) advance understanding of oceanInternational workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

ecosystems as the basis for their integrated
ocean management; (iv) data and information
system; (v) ocean dimension in an integrated
multi-hazard warning system; (vi) ocean
compartment of the Earth system; and (vii)
capacity development, education and training.
Dr Toro then emphasized that IOC-UNESCO
and ISA have a unique opportunity of partneringwith the industry which are one of the major
players in ocean sciences particularly in relation
to research and development.
The Secretary-General of ISA, Mr Michael
W. Lodge, concluded Session VIII with apresentation on the “Future of capacity
development and technology transfer to meetthe needs of developing States”. Outlining
the fact that technology and know-how formarine scientific research was developing
rapidly, especially in relation to the deep sea
where knowledge is growing very quickly, Mr
Lodge highlighted that deep-sea exploration
techniques will significantly change in theten or twenty years to come. The immediate
issue identified was to address the necessary
capacity needs in order to carry out thisresearch. Mr Lodge referred to the current
ocean-going research fleet around the world
as an indicator on how little of that capacity
is in the hands of developing countries. Mr
Lodge also pointed out that despite ongoing
efforts to raise awareness on the importance of
avoiding duplication and mainstreaming funding
available, too many fragmented initiatives
were taken, sometimes even by individuals
or philanthropic organizations which carryout activities without making any meaningful
contribution to the overall question of capacity
development. Mr Lodge also emphasized that
pursuant to UNCLOS, marine scientific researchin the Area was supposed to be shared with
developing States through ISA. However, Mr
Lodge indicated that much more could be done
to progress the sharing of research results.
Then, Mr Lodge echoed the presentationdelivered by Dr Toro and concurred with thefact that as of today, science is voluntary,
whereas the governance framework is weakand capacity poorly distributed. As a result, it

is even more important than ever that capacity
development and transfer of marine technology
are aligned with progress at the cutting edgeof research and technological development.
For Mr Lodge, “everyone should be able tobenefit from the new ocean science paradigm,
including SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs”. Mr Lodge
underscored that a lot of initiatives alreadyexist that could be built on. This is notably thecase of the CTP, the EFMSR and the lessons
learned from that experience and shared ideas
as to how the mechanisms associated with the
EFMSR could be adjusted in future in order tomobilize more resources and turn it into a global
partnership fund. Immediate benefits of a moreprogrammatic approach were also noted, forexample in the context of the ADSR Project,supported by NORAD, where a key elementof the project is to bring national experts fromAfrica on secondment to the ISA Secretariat.
Mr Lodge also insisted on the progress madetowards advancing the role of women scientists
from developing States in deep sea research. In
concluding, Mr Lodge emphasized that despite
all this work and tangible progress, much moreneeded to be done. Workshop participants
were then reminded that ISA’s mandate under
UNCLOS for marine scientific research in the
Area was not only unique but also exclusive. ISA
is the only organization specifically empowered
and mandated to act as a delivery mechanism
for capacity development programmes in thisrespect. However, Mr Lodge noted that thismandate has not yet been fully realized andimplemented. Mr Lodge emphasized that itwas essential for States to take more seriously
their responsibilities under articles 143 and 144
of UNCLOS.
Mr Lodge listed a series of initiatives that
could be envisaged, based on the discussions
that have taken place in the workshop. Suchinitiatives could include: (i) international
training centres, providing multiple training
opportunities every year, with curriculums
based on applied research priorities ; (ii) regional
training centres, associated with regional and/or national institutions, such as the PacificCommunity or BIMSTEC ; (iii) long-term
49International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

attachments for research purposes with globally
recognized research institutions ; (iv) exchangeof technology through initiatives such as the
UN-TB for LDCs ; and (v) reinforced contractor
training programmes, which will certainly berequired to accelerate during the exploitation
phase, including providing potential employment
possibilities. These type of initiatives could also
contribute to some of the underlying objectivesof capacity development as specified in
UNCLOS, which include: (a) developing thecapacity to operationalize the Enterprise ; (b)meeting the capacity requirements for the

implementation by ISA of monitoring andinspection regime for activities in the Area ; (c)increasing the participation of developing Statesin activities in the Area, as well as in the deep
ocean in general (including activities within
national jurisdiction). In concluding, Mr Lodge
outlined the potential contribution of ISA to the
UN Decade for Ocean Science, noting that manyof the priorities (ocean mapping, deep ocean
observation, ecosystem functioning, data andinformation systems, capacity development) for
the Decade were already being carried by ISA,
based on a legal framework that already exists.

Break-out Group Session IX:
Strategic partnerships
Session VIII was followed by an interactive
break-outgroup discussion that was
facilitated by the Chair, H.E Gina GuillenGrillo, Permanent Representative of Costa
Rica to ISA. Participants made the following
recommendations:• Consideration should be given by each
Member of ISA to identify a national
focal point for dissemination atthenational level, of information on thecapacity
development opportunities
to be implemented by ISA. Information

•

•

•

•
•
(L-R) Dr Cesar Toro, IOCARIBE Secretariat, Mr
Paul Msoma, Interim Director, Africa Minerals
Development Centre, African Union, H.E. Georgina
Guillen Grillo, Permanent Representative of Costa
Rica to the ISA, H.E Mathu Joyini ,DIRCO, South
Africa and Mr Michael Lodge, Secretary-General, ISA

50

on such national focal points should be
updated regularly. The ISA Secretariat is
invited to develop Terms of Reference on
the role and responsibilities of national
focal points that will be submitted forconsideration by the Assembly.
Consideration should be given by each
Member of ISA to identify potential
partners at national level, with which
ISA could develop, in close cooperation,
specific training and capacity development
initiatives.
Consideration should be given to ensure
that, through a programmatic approach,sensitization seminars are undertaken
by ISA in all regions to raise awarenessof national and regional representatives
on the role and responsibilities of ISA
and how to increase engagement in theactivities undertaken in the Area.
Consideration should be given by ISA
to strengthen the network for the
dissemination of information on training
opportunities.
Consideration should be given to develop
and share a framework for partnershipwith ISA.
Consideration should be given to take into
account existing initiatives and networksof other UN agencies, including the
UN Technology Bank, to disseminate
information on capacity development
programmes and initiatives to be
implemented by ISA.

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Presentations of outcomes and way
forward
H.E Ambassador Mathu Joyini, Deputy Director, Diplomatic Training and Support Unit of
DIRCO, South Africa
Mr Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General, ISA“Closing remarks: Where to from here?”

Prior to the convening of the final session, theworkshop facilitator convened a meetingwith the Chairs and Rapporteurs to deliberateon the draft of the outcomes document
for the workshop, which would later bepresented to the workshop participants.
Elements of convergence were highlighted
and included in the draft document. A numberof textual proposals were made by Chairs
and Rapporteurs to align the outcomes
document with the group discussions. The
draft outcomes document, as agreed by the
Chairs and Rapporteurs, was then presented
to all workshop participants. The final text is
attached in annex 3.

Concluding remarks of
Mr Michael W. Lodge,
Secretary-General of ISA

As we come to the end of our firstever dedicated workshop on “Capacity
development,
resourcesandneeds
assessment”, I want to take this opportunity
to thank and acknowledge all those whohave participated in the workshop and madeimportant contributions to the discussions.
I particularly wish to thank all the chairs,
rapporteurs, presenters and participants fortheir insights.

I want to thank our partners and collaborators
in international and regional organizations,
including the African Union, Commonwealth
Secretariat, IOC-UNESCO, National Deep
Sea Centre (JTRC), National Oceanography
Centre UK, UNDESA, UNEP, UN-OHRLLS,Technology Bank for LDCs, and the World
Maritime University. To deliver effectively andcoherently, it is essential that organizations andinstitutions collaborate effectively within theirrespective mandates. The active participationof such a wide range of organizations not onlyis testament to the depth of the partnershipsthat the Authority has already developed, butalso is a harbinger of even more collaboration
to come. I want to thank all the contractors
who were represented at this workshop– COMRA, DORD, BGR, GSR, JOGMEC,
NORI, TOML, UKSRL – for their efforts andcommitment with respect to the contractor
training programme, but also to acknowledge
those contractors who could not be here but
contributed to pre-workshop surveys. Andof course, I express my appreciation to themember States who attended the workshop- Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Cook
Islands, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, European
Union, Ghana, Guatemala, Indonesia, Jamaica,
Korea, Mexico, Myanmar, Nauru, Nigeria,
Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tonga, Trinidad &Tobago and Uganda – and the observers.

51

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

At the beginning of the workshop, I indicatedthat the main objective of the workshop
was to help the Authority to deliver against
the requirement of the High-Level Action
Plan relating to the implementation of the
ISA Strategic Plan for 2019-2023 to “assist
developing States, in particular geographicallydisadvantaged States, small island developing
States, least developed countries andlandlocked developing countries, in identifying
their needs”. In particular, we wanted to solicit
your assistance in clarifying the nature andobjectives of capacity-building and technicalassistance provided by ISA in the context
of Part XI of UNCLOS, reviewing the key
findings of a draft assessment undertaken by
the Secretariat on the current capacity-building
initiatives and programmes implemented
by ISA, and to begin identifying the coreelements for the design and developmentof a dedicated strategy for capacity-building
and capacity development activities that willmeasurably contribute to increase capacities
of ISA member States.
I believe we have not only succeeded in thisbut exceeded expectations with many new
and interesting ideas having been contributedand much food for thought, which has served
to enrich the preliminary analysis carried out by
the secretariat. Since not all member States
could be represented here this week, as anext step, it will be our intention to circulate
a survey to members and observers to solicit
their views on the various issues associatedwith capacity development. The results ofthat survey, combined with the outcomes ofthis workshop and the revised analysis will inturn contribute towards the development of acoherent strategy for capacity developmentthat will be placed before the Assembly at52

its next session. These will also provide thebasis for the development of a more coherent
and programmatic approach to capacity
development over the next financial period,
with tangible and measurable outcomes andindicators of success.
I thank you all for your contributions to thisimportant work.
I would like to add a special note ofappreciation to the UN High Representative
for Small Island States, Least Developed
Countries and Land-Locked Developing
Countries, Ms Fekitamoela ‘Utoikamanu, foraccepting the invitation to attend the workshop
and delivering remarks at the opening session.
Over the past three years, the Authority has
developed a very constructive and fruitfulworking relationship with UN-OHRLLS and
we look forward to continuing to develop thatpartnership in future.
Finally, and on behalf of all of us, let me thankour dear friend and workshop facilitator,
Ambassador Mathu Joyini, for graciously
accepting our invitation to come back to
Jamaica to preside over this workshop andlead our discussions. Of course, we knew
her well as a highly effective Permanent
Representative to the Authority when she
was posted here in Kingston, and we also
witnessed what a formidable chair she could
be when we visited Pretoria in May 2019, but I
think I speak for us all when I say that she has
exceeded expectations once again this week
and has steered us to a very constructive
outcome, keeping us focused on the work, but
in a congenial and relaxed manner.
Thank you all, and safe travels.

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

List of boxes, figures and tables
Boxes
1

Article 15, Annex III of UNCLOS

2Standard clauses for exploration contracts

3

Exploration Regulations

Figures1

Objectives and expected outcomes of the workshop

2

Current ISA’s capacity building programmes & initiatives

3High-level actions & outputs for SD 5 and SD 6 (ISA High-Level Action Plan 2019-2023)

4

Overview of number of individuals trained under ISA’s capacity-building programmes &initiatives (1994-2019)5

CTP trainees from 1994-2019 by gender

6

Amount of EFMSR’s funding disbursed per year (US$) (2008-2019)7

Total contribution by donor to the EFMSR

8

Number and percentage of individuals who have benefitted from the EFMSR byregions and gender” (2006-2019)9

Overview of the internships by office and per year within ISA Secretariat (2014-2019)10

Number of interns with the ISA Secretariat by regional groups (2014-2019)11

Geographic representation of interns with the ISA Secretariat by regional groups(2014-2019)12

JTRC operating framework

13

Members of the JTRC’s Steering Committee

Tables2

Funds expended on CTP (to date) and percentage of expended funds against total costs of
exploration operations
Geographical representation of all CTP trainees (2013-2019)3

TOML training and capacity-building initiatives (2009-2019)

4

ISA-GSR trainees

5

COMRA’s Training Programme

153International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Annex 1: Workshop agenda
Monday, 10 February 2020
Registration
Welcome Remarks
08:00 – 9:00

Mr Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority

9:30– 10:00

USG Fekitamoeloa Tpoupai ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for small island
States, least developed countries and land-locked developing countries, UNOHRLLS

Video: Champions of the Ocean
10:20 – 10:40
Morning tea / Group Photo
Session I: Presentation of key findings of the assessment of the capacity-building programmes
and initiatives implemented by ISA
1.1 Objectives of the workshop and expected outcomes
H.E Mathu Joyini, Director, Diplomatic Training and Support (DIRCO), South Africa
10:40 – 11:20

1.2 Key findings of the assessment of the capacity-building programmes and initiatives
implemented by ISA
Dr Marie Bourrel-Mckinnon, Senior Policy Officer-Special Assistant to theSecretary-General, ISA
Discussion

Session II: Key findings of the assessment of the Contractor Training Programme
Chair: Mr Corey McLachlan, NORI
Rapporteur: Mr Chapi Mwango, Chief, Contract Management Unit, ISA
Objectives:- Key findings of the assessment: what impact?
- Discuss issues and challenges- Explore potential solutions
2.1 Key findings of the assessment of the Contractor Training Programme
Mr Chapi Mwango, Chief, Contract Management Unit, ISA
11:20 –13:00

2.2 Presentation from contractors
Mr John Parianos – Manager Exploration and Polymetallic Nodules, Tonga Offshore
Mining Limited
Mr Francois Charlet, Exploration Manager - Marine Geologist, GSR
Mr Jun Jiang-Deputy Permanent Representative of China to ISA - COMRA
2.3 Case study: former trainees
Former trainee of Marawa: Ms Judith A. Owusu, Ghana
Former trainee of JOGMEC: Mr Hank Hedge, Jamaica

13:00 – 14:00

54

Discussion
LunchInternational workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Session III: Key findings of the assessment of the Endowment Fund for Marine Scientific
Research in the Area
Chair: Mr Alans Evans, Head, International & Strategic Partnership Office, National
Oceanography Centre
Rapporteur: Mr Gulardi Nurbintoro, Foreign Service Officer, Directorate for Legal Affairs
and Territorial, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Objectives:- Key findings of the assessment: what impact?
- Discuss issues and challenges
14:00 – 15:15- Explore potential solutions
3.1 Key findings of the assessment of the Endowment Fund for Marine Scientific
Research in the Area
Mr Tearinaki Tanielu, Consultant
3.2 Presentation from research institution
Jérôme Dyment, Senior Researcher, Geosciences Marines, Institut de Physique duGlobe de Paris & CNRS

15:15 – 15:45

15:00 –17:00

Discussion
Afternoon tea
Break-out Group Session I: CTP

Break-out Group Session II: EFMSR

Facilitator: Mr Corey McLachlan

Facilitator: Mr Alans Evans

Rapporteur: Mr Chapi Mwango

Rapporteur: Mr Gulardi Nurbintoro

Where to from here?

Where to from here?

Session IV: Key findings of the assessment of the Internship Programme

Tuesday, 11 February 2020
Chair: Ms Alex Herman, Seabed Minerals Commissioner, Cook Islands
Rapporteur: Mr Antonio Cruz-Diaz, Alternate Representative of Mexico to ISA
Objectives:- Key findings of the assessment: what impact?
- Discuss issues and challenges- Explore potential solutions
4.1 Assessment of the Internship Programme
9:00 – 10:30

Ms Kayon Wray, Senior Training Assistant, ISA
4.2 Case study: overview of the Fellowship initiatives implemented in other UN
institutions
Mrs Ximena Hinrichs, Registrar, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (remotepresentation)
Ms Jessica Howley, Legal Officer, DOALOS (remote presentation)
4.3 Case study: former interns
Mr David Garzon Pico, Ecuador.
Discussion
55

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

10:30 – 11:00

Morning tea

Session V: Towards a more programmatic approach to deliver ISA’s capacity development
activities
Chair: H.E Carlos Den Hartog, Permanent Representative of Brazil to ISA
Rapporteur: Mr Tearinaki Tanielu, Consultant, ISA
5.1 ISA’s programmatic approach : context and suggested way forward
Mr Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General, ISA
11:00 – 12:00

5.2 Case study 1: Abyssal Initiative project
Mr Sai Navoti, Chief, SIDS Unit, UNDESA
5.3 Case study 2 : ADSR project
Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon, ISA - Mr Paul Msoma , int. Director ADMC, Africa Union
Discussion

Session VI: The potential contribution of regional centres to the achievement of SDG14
Chair: Mr Nyan Lin Aung, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Myanmar to the United
Nations
Rapporteur: Dr Ulrich Schwarz-Schampera, BRG
Objectives:- Overview of specific provisions of UNCLOS relating to regional centres (art.275/276)
12:00 – 13:00- How could regional centres contribute to the achievement SDG14 in the context of
ISA’s mandate?
6.1: Case study: ISA-China Joint Training Centre - update, objectives, activities,
programme of work, way forward
Dr Shi Xianpeng, National Deep-Sea Centre – Mrs Jihyun Lee, Director of the Office ofEnvironmental Management and Mineral Resources, ISA
Video: NDSC video
Mr Jun Jiang-Deputy Permanent Representative of China to ISA - COMRA
Discussion

13:00 – 14:00

14:00 – 15:40

Lunch
Break-out Group Session V: ISA’s
programmatic approach

Break-out Group Session VI: Regional
Centres

Facilitator: H.E Carlos Den Hartog,
Permanent Representative of Brazil to ISA

Facilitator: Mr Nyan Lin Aung, Counsellor,
Permanent Mission of Myanmar to theUnited Nations

Rapporteur: Mr Tearinaki Tanielu,
Consultant, ISA
Where to from here?

56

Rapporteur: Dr Ulrich Schwarz-Schampera,
BRG
Where to from here?

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

15:40 – 16:00

Afternoon tea
Session VII: Assessment of capacity needs and priorities
Chair: H.E Duncan Laki, Permanent Mission of Uganda to the United Nations
Rapporteur: Mr Sai Navoti, Chief, SIDS Unit, UNDESA
8.1 Importance of capacity-building for SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs in the context of the2030 Agenda and the other high-level frameworks
USG Fekitamoeloa Tpoupai Utoikamanu, High Representative for small island States,
least developed countries and land-locked developing countries, UN-OHRLLS

16:00 – 17:00

8.2 The identification of capacity development needs and priorities by developing States– What methodology?
Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon, ISA
8.3 Case study: overview of the Technology Bank for the LDcs
Mr Joshua Setipa, Director, Technology Bank for the LDCs
8.4 Case study: overview of potential future capacity needs in deep sea research
Dr Luciana Genio, Environment Analyst, ISA

Wednesday, 12 February 2020
Session VIII: Assessment of capacity needs and priorities (continued)
8.5 Empowering women in the maritime community

9:00 – 09:45

Professor Ronán Long, Director at WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute of the World
Maritime University
8.6 Enhancing the role of women in marine scientific research
Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon, ISA
Discussion

Session IX: Building strategic partnerships in support of ISA’s capacity development programmes
and initiatives
Chair: H.E Gina Guillen-Grillo, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to ISA
Rapporteur: Mr Paul Msoma, Interim Director, Africa Minerals Development Centre,
Africa Union
9.1 Building synergies and opportunities through the UN Decade of Ocean Science toenhance the capacity development programmes and initiatives of ISA
09:45 – 11:00

Dr Cesar Toro, Head of IOCARIBE Secretariat
9.2 The Future of capacity development and technology transfer to meet the needs ofdeveloping States, members of ISA
Mr Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General, ISA
Discussion

11:00 – 11:15

Morning tea

57

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Break-out Group Session VIII: Special needs Break-out Group Session IX: Strategicof SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs
partnerships
11:15 – 13:00

Facilitator: H.E Duncan Laki

Facilitator: H.E Gina Guillen-Grillo

Rapporteur: Mr Sai Navoti

Rapporteur: Mr Paul Msoma

Where to from here?

Where to from here?

13:00 – 14:00

Lunch

14:00 – 15:40

Finalization of reports and draft outcomes by Chairs & Rapporteurs

15:40 – 16:00

Afternoon tea
Session X: Presentations of outcomes and way forward
Presentation of the outcomes
H.E Mathu Joyini, Director, Diplomatic Training and Support (DIRCO), South-Africa

16:00 – 17:00

Discussion
Closing remarks: Where to from here?
Mr Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General, ISA

17:30-19:30

58

Cocktail reception – Sunken garden, Jamaican Conference Centre

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Annex 2: List of participantsState
Representatives
1

Algeria

2

Name

Position title

Mr Zino Adberahmane
IzourarFirst Secretary, Permanent Mission ofAlgeria to the UN

Mr Patricio Urueña Palacio

Deputy Permanent Representative ofArgentina to ISA

Mrs Lucia Scheinkman

Directorate General for Legal Counselling,
Division for the Law of the Sea and Ocean
Affairs, Argentina

H.E Carlos den Hartog

Permanent Representative of Brazil to ISA

Mr Renato de Alencar
Lima

Counsellor, Embassy of Brazil to ISA

H.E Francisco J.Bernales

Permanent Representative of Chile to ISA

Mr Roberto Alvarez

Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Chile to
ISA

H.E Tian Qi

Permanent Representative of China to ISA

Mr Jun Jiang

Deputy Permanent Representative of China
to ISA

Argentina
3
4
5

Brazil

6
7

Chile

8
9

China

Mr Xiang Gao

10
11

Cook Islands

12

Third Secretary, Permanent Mission of China
to ISA

Mrs Alex Herman

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals
Commissioner

Mr Chris Brown

Deep Sea Minerals Advisor

13

Costa Rica

H.E Georgina Guillen Grillo

Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to
ISA

14

Ecuador

Mr David Garzon Pico

Oceanographic Institute of the Ecuadorian
Navy - INOCAR

15

Egypt

Dr Suzan M. El-Gharabawy

National Institute of Oceanography and
Fisheries, Alexandria

16

Ethiopia

Mrs Lila Desta

Counsellor II/ Legal Advisor, Permanent
Mission of Ethiopia to the UN

17

Ghana

Mr Solomon Korbieh

Legal Advisory, Permanent Mission of Ghana
to the UN

18

Indonesia

Mr Gulardi Nurbintoro

Foreign Service Officer, Directorate for Legal
Affairs and Territorial, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs

59International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

19
20

H.E Kathy Ann Brown
Mr Hank Hedge

Permanent Representative of Jamaica to ISA
Geologist, Ministry of Transport and Mining

21

Ms Deniese Sealey

Assistant Director, Economic Affairs
Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs andForeign Trade22

Ms Aliecia Taylor

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade23

Ms Michelle Walker

Chair - LTC

24

Korea

Dr Sunyoung Kim

Diplomatic Attaché (Political and Economic) Permanent Mission of Korea to ISA

25

MexicoMr Antonio Cruz-Diaz

Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy
and Alternative Representative of Mexico to
the ISA26

Myanmar

Mr Nyan Lin Aung

Permanent Mission of Myanmar to ISA

H.E Margo Deiye

Permanent Representative of Nauru to ISA

Ms Francilia Julius

Legal Advisor, Nauru

27
28

60

JamaicaNauru

29

Nigeria

Mr Emmanuel Oguntuyi

Minister Plenipotentiary, Adviser, Permanent
Mission of Nigeria to ISA

30

Sierra Leone

Mrs Hawanatu Kebe

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sierra
Leone to the United Nations

31

South Africa

H.E Mathu Joyini

Diplomatic Training and Support Unit of
DIRCO

32

Tonga

Mr Taaniela Kula

33

Trinidad & Tobago

Mrs Amanda Fraser

34

UgandaH.E Duncan Laki

Legal Adviser, Permanent Mission of Uganda
to the UN

35

African Union

Mr Paul Msoma

Interim Director, Africa Minerals
Development Centre

36

Commonwealth
Secretariat

Dr Daniel Wilde

Economic Adviser, Oceans and Natural
Resources Division

37

DOALOS

Ms Jessica Howley

Legal Officer (remote participation)

38

European Union

Ms Marie Houdart

International Relations Officer

39

International
Tribunal for the
Law of the Sea

Mrs Ximena Hinrichs

Registrar (remote participation)

40

IOCARIBE

Dr Cesar ToroHead of IOCARIBE Secretariat

41

National
Oceanography
Centre,Southampton, UK

Mr Alan Evans

Head International & Strategic Partnership
OfficeDeputy Secretary for Natural Resources,
Ministry of Lands, Environment, Climate
Change & Natural Resources
Permanent Mission of Trinidad & Tobago to
ISAInternational workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

42

UN DESA

43

UNEP

44

Mr Sai Navoti

Chief, SIDS Unit

Dr Lorna Inniss

Head, Caribbean Environment Programme

Mr Vincent Sweeney

Head, Caribbean Sub-Regional Office45

UNESCOMr Massimiliano
Lombardo

Programme Specialist in Natural Sciences

46

UNICEFMrs Mariko Kagashima

Resident Coordinator

47

UN-OHRLLS

H.E Mrs Fekitamoeloa‘Utoikamanu

Under Secretary General and High
Representative, OHRLLS

Mrs Shifaana Thowfeequ

Programme Management Officer, SIDS Unit

48
49

Technology BankLDCs

Mr Joshua Setipa

Director

50

World Maritime
University

Ronan Long

Director, WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean
Institute and Nippon Foundation Professorial
Chair

Contractors

51

Deep Ocean
Resources
Development Co.
(DORD)Dr Keisuke Nishi

52

Federal Institutefor Geosciences
and Natural
Resources of theFederal Republic of
Germany (BGR)

Dr Ulrich SchwarzSchampera

Head of Section “Ore Deposit Geology andAnalytical Fingerprint” - BGR

53

Global Sea Mineral
Resources (GSR)

Mr François Charlet

Exploration Manager - Marine Geologist,
GSR

54

Japan Oil, Gas, andMetals National
Corporation(JOGMEC)

Dr Nobuyaki Okamoto

Deputy Director General, Metals Technology
Department

NORI
Tonga Offshore
Mining Limited(TOML)Mr Corey McLachlan

Head of Stakeholder Engagement

Mr John Parianos

Manager Exploration and Polymetallic
Nodules

UK Seabed
Resources Limited

Mr Christopher Williams

Managing Director

Mrs Jennifer Warren

Director, Regulatory Affairs

59

DurhamUniversity’sCentre for Borders
Research

Mr Bruno Gabriel Costelini

Researcher

60

INTERRIDGE

Mr Jérôme Dyment

Senior Researcher, Geosciences Marines

61

Pew

Dr Peter Edwards

Office, Program-Research & Science

55
56
57
58

Observers to ISA

61

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

62

62

Mr Michael W. Lodge

Secretary-General63

Mr Alfonso Ascencio-Herrera

Legal Counsel / Deputy to the SecretaryGeneral64

Mrs Jihyun Lee

Director, Office of the Environmental
Management and Mineral Resources

65

Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon

Senior Policy Officer – SA to SG

66

Mr Chapi Mwango

Chief, Contract Management Unit

67

Ms Charlotte Salpin

Senior Legal Officer – Regulatory Affairs

68

Ms Pratima Jahuri

Senior Scientist

69

Ms Gwenaelle Le Gurun

Legal Officer

70

Mrs Katie Elles

Communications Specialist

71

Mrs Michelle Bond

Librarian72

Mrs Luciana Genio

Environment Analyst

73

Mrs Talatu Akindolire

Associate Legal Officer74

Ms Kayon Wray

Senior Assistant - Training75

Ms Shanique Gregory

Senior Communications Assistant76

Mrs Keisha Dunn

Administrative Assistant77

Mr Ryan Barbar

Staff Assistant78

Mrs Tini Guitoba

Legal Adviser (Togo) – ADSR Expert

79

Mrs Judith Owusu

Geochemist (Ghana) – ADSR Expert

80

Mr Tearinaki Tanielu

Consultant

81

Mr Rahul Sharma

Consultant

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Annex 3: Summary of workshop
outcomes
12 February 2020

1. Background and rationale
1. The entry into force of the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
twenty-five years ago, has created theenabling conditions for the operationalizationof the regime of the international seabedarea (the Area). Through it, the international
community decided that at least one part of
the global commons, the mineral resources ofthe deep-seabed and subsoil thereof, should
be managed for the benefit of all humanity. It is
to achieve this objective that the International
Seabed Authority (ISA) has been establishedand entrusted with specific responsibilities.
Its core mandate is to regulate and manage
access and use of deep-seabed mineral
resources whilst ensuring the protection of
the marine environment. It is also mandated
to ensure the equitable sharing of benefits
derived from the conduct of activities in theArea, to all humanity including through thedevelopment of specific programmes aimed
at strengthening the capacities of developing
States and technology less developed States.
2. The ISA Strategic Plan for 2019-20231
explicitly recognizes the duty of ISA to ensurethat a variety of capacity-building mechanisms
are implemented for developing States. Suchmechanisms should not only aim at facilitating
the transfer of technology to developing
States2 but also ensuring the expansion ofopportunities for participation in activities

in the Area3. In light of this, member Statesof ISA have identified that the challenge forthe organization is to identify mechanisms,
includingcapacity-building
programmes,
to ensure fully integrated participation by
developing States in activities in the Area at alllevels. Strategic Direction 5 (Build capacity fordeveloping States) and Strategic Direction 6(Ensure integrated participation by developing
States) aim at concretizing this objective.
3. As indicated in the High-Level Action Plan
relating to the implementation of the ISA
Strategic Plan for 2019-2023 adopted by the
Assembly in August 20194, specific actions
need to be undertaken by the ISA Secretariat
by 2020. One of particular importance is
to “assist developing States, in particulargeographically disadvantaged States, small
island developing States, least developed
countries and landlocked developing countries,
in identifying their needs” (high-level action
5.1.1).
4. It is to deliver against this important item that
the ISA Secretariat organized the workshop
on “Capacity development, resources andneeds assessment” that was held in Kingston,
Jamaica, from 10 to 12 February 2020.
5. The workshop was facilitated by H.E Mathu
Joyini, Deputy Director, Diplomatic Training
and Support Unit of DIRCO of the Republicof South Africa and was attended by official
representatives from Members of ISA (Algeria,
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Cook Islands,
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, European Union,

1 See ISBA/24/A/10.
2 See UNCLOS, art.144., 273 and 274
3 See UNCLOS, art.148.
4 See ISBA/25/A/15.

63

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Ghana, Guatemala, Indonesia, Jamaica, Korea,
Mexico, Myanmar, Nauru, Nigeria, Sierra
Leone, South Africa, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago
and Uganda) and experts from internationaland regional organizations (African Union,
Commonwealth Secretariat, IOC-UNESCO,
National Deep Sea Centre (JTRC), National
Oceanography Centre UK, UNDESA, UNEP,UNESCO, UNICEF, UN-OHRLLS, Technology
Bank for LDCs, World Maritime University) as
well as observers of ISA (Ethiopia, Durham
University’s Centre for Borders Research,
InterRidge, the Pew Charitable Trust),
contractors (COMRA, DORD, BGR, GSR,JOGMEC, NORI, TOML, UKSRL) and national
experts (Ghana, India, Kiribati and Togo).
6. The workshop on “Capacity development,
resources and needs assessment” provided
an opportunity for participants to exchange
and discuss on a series of issues associatedwith the implementation by ISA, of different
capacity-building programmes and initiatives.
The workshop also contributed to:
1. Clarifying the nature and objectives ofcapacity-building and technical assistanceprovided by ISA in the context of Part XI ofUNCLOS;
2. Discussing the key findings of the draft
assessment undertaken by the Secretariat
on:(a) the current capacity-building initiatives& programmes implemented by ISA inorder to understand how to improvetheir effectiveness and impact;(b) the resources available to ISA to address
such needs.
3. Identifying the core elements for thedesign and development of a dedicatedstrategy for capacity-building and capacity
development activities that will measurably
contribute to increase capacities of
ISA member States in specific area(s)identified.

64

2. Summary of the 			discussions
7. Each session of the workshop aimed
at examining the key findings of the draft
assessment report prepared by ISA Secretariat
with a view of assessing the impact andeffectivenessofthecapacity-building
programmes and initiatives implemented by
ISA. In each session, particular attention was
also given to discuss the challenges identified
as well as exploring potential solutions.

Session I: Key findings of the assessmentof the capacity-building programmes
and initiatives implemented by ISA
8. This first session was intended to provide
participants with a common understandingof the objectives of the workshop as well as
providing an overview of the key findings ofthe draft assessment report prepared by the
Secretariat.
9. H.E Mathu Joyini, Deputy Director,
Diplomatic Training and Support Unit of DIRCO
of the Republic of South Africa and also
workshop facilitator, highlighted the objectives
and expected outcomes of the workshop.
This presentation was then followed by apresentation delivered by Dr Marie BourrelMcKinnon who provided an overview of thelegal and strategic framework within which ISA
operates when developing and implementing
capacity-building programmes and initiatives.
10. Participants agreed on the importancefor ISA to maintain its efforts in organizing
sensitization seminars and disseminating
information on the results of capacity
development activities implemented by ISA.

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

Session II: Key findings of theassessment of the Contractor Training
Programme
11. This second session was chaired by Mr
Corey McLachlan, Head of Stakeholder
Engagement at NORI. Mr Chapi Mwango,
Chief of the Contract Management Unit at ISA,
acted as rapporteur. The theme of this session
was “Key findings of the assessment of thecontractor training programme”.
12. The session started with a presentationdelivered by Mr Chapi Mwango focusing on the“key findings of the draft assessment report
prepared by the Secretariat on the Contractor
Training Programme” which was followed by apresentation from Mr John Parianos, Manager
Exploration and Polymetallic Nodules at TOML
providing some “Perspectives on capacitybuilding”. Mr François Charlet, Exploration
Manager and Marine Geologist at GSR delivereda third presentation on the “Assessment of the
GSR training programme” which was followed
by a presentation delivered by Mr Jun Jiang,
Deputy-Permanent Representative of China to
ISA on behalf of COMRA, on the “Assessmentof the COMRA training programmes”. Two
additional presentations were also deliveredby two former trainees of the training
programme of JOGMEC. The first one wasdelivered by Ms Judith Owusu, Geochemist
at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporationand the second one was delivered by Mr Hank
Hedge, Geologist at the Ministry of Transportand Mining of Jamaica.
13. Participants considered the recommendations listed in the draft assessment report prepared by the Secretariat with the following suggestions:• In recommendation 4, a suggestion wasmade that the LTC “should” (and not only
“could) “take into account the list of priority
needs identified by developing States and•regularly updated by ISA, when making its
recommendations”.
That consideration be given to expanding
the Contractor Training Programme in the
exploitation phase.

Session III: Key findings of theassessment Endowment Fund forMarine Scientific Research
14. Session III was chaired by Mr Alan
Evans, Head of the International andStrategic Partnerships Office of the National
Oceanography Centre with the support of Mr
Gulardi Nurbintoro, Foreign Service Officer
from the Directorate for Legal Affairs andTerritorial Treaties at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Indonesia. The theme considered
under this session was “Key findings of theassessment of the Endowment Fund forMarine Scientific Research in the Area”.
15. Two presentations were delivered. One by
Mr Tearinaki Tanielu, consultant with ISA on the“Key findings of the draft assessment report”
and another one, by Mr Jérôme Dyment,
Senior Researcher at the Institut de Physiquedu Globe de Paris and CNRS on “Capacity
building/development and academic research:an experience through InterRidge and beyond”.
16. This session led to detailed discussion
on (i) the need for the EFMSR to take into
consideration the needs of developing States
members of ISA; (ii) attracting potential donors
including by exploring the possibility forcontractors who have not been able to select a
trainee to be allowed to reallocate the unused
fund for training to the EFMSR; (iii) the difficulty
in attracting interest from potential donors dueto the limitations imposed on the use of the
EFMSR and ; (iv) the issue of reallocation of
the unspent interest of the EFMSR to support
activities or requests independent from theobjectives assigned to the EFMSR.

65

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

17. Participants expressed some concernsthat the current restrictions imposed for the
disbursement of EFMSR (i.e. only interest on
the capital can be used), prevented ISA to fulfil
its obligations under UNCLOS while, at thesame time, discouraged potential donors fromcontributing to the EFMSR. In line with this,participants agreed that the development ofa more programmatic approach by ISA could
effectively increase the impact of the EFMSR
by ensuring that the use of the available funding
could meet the priority needs identified bydeveloping States members of ISA.
18. Participants considered the recommendations listed in the draft assessment report prepared by the Secretariat.

Session IV: Key findings of theassessment of the Internship
Programme
19. This session was chaired by Ms Alex
Herman, Seabed Minerals Commissionerof the Cook Islands. Mr Antonio Cruz-Diaz,
Alternate Representative of Mexico to ISA
acted as rapporteur. The theme of this session
was “Key findings of the assessment of theInternship Programme”.
20. A presentation was delivered by Ms
Kayon Wray, on the “Key findings of thedraft assessment report prepared by the
ISA Secretariat” which was followed by apresentation from Mrs Ximena HinrichsOyarce, Registrar at the International Tribunal
for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on the different
capacity-building
schemes
implemented
by ITLOS. Ms Jessica Howley, provided
an overview of the “Capacity-building andfellowship programmes” implemented by theDivision for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the
Sea (DOALOS) of the Office of Legal Affairs of
the United Nations. The last presentation wasdelivered by Mr David Garzón Pico, Surveyor at
the Oceanographic Institute of the Ecuadorian

66

Navy and focused on benefits gained from his
internship within the ISA Secretariat in 2017.
21. Former interns noted that such experiencehas proven to be very valuable. Several
elements of the presentations were discussed
by the participants including in relation to theimportance for ISA to explore options to:(i) increase outreach and dissemination ofinternship opportunities through social media,(ii) secure financial contributions to ensure that
all interns from developing States are provided
with stipends and, (iii) to develop, with otherinstitutions, including those used by the
Nippon Foundation Fellowship Programme, aspecific internship module.
22. Participants considered the recommendations listed in the draft assessment report prepared by the Secretariat.

Session V: Towards a moreprogrammatic approach to enable
ISA to deliver capacity development
activities
23. Session V was chaired by H.E Carlos den
Hartog, Permanent Representative of Brazil
to ISA who was supported by Mr Tearinaki
Tanielu, Consultant of ISA.
24. The first presentation was delivered by
the Secretary-General of ISA, Mr Michael W.
Lodge, and focused on “ISA’s programmatic
approach: context and suggested way forward”.
Mr Sai Navoti, Chief of SIDS Unit at UNDESA
presented the objectives and preliminary
results of the Abyssal Initiative project
implemented in partnership by UNDESA andISA. A third presentation was provided by
Mr Paul Msoma, Acting director of the Africa
Mineral Development Centre and Dr Marie
Bourrel-McKinnon, Senior Policy Officer at ISA
on the Africa Deep Seabed Resources (ADSR)
project implemented jointly by ISA, the African
Union and NORAD.

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

25. Several elements were further discussed
during the break-out group particularly in relation to the need for ISA to: (i) develop strong
programmatic approach for capacity development, (ii) strengthen the staff of the Secretariat
to deliver against this programmatic approachand mobilize resources; and (iii) foster strategic
partnerships.

Session VI: The potential contributionof regional centres to the achievementof SDG14
26. This section was chaired by Mr Nyan Lin
Aung, Counsellor from the Permanent Missionof Myanmar to the United Nations in New York.
Mr Ulrich Schwarz-Schampera, Head of Section
Ore Deposit Geology and Analytical Fingerprint
with BGR acted as rapporteur.
27. After the Chair had provided an overview
of articles 275 and 276 of UNCLOS which highlight the importance of the establishmentof marine scientific centres and transfer of technology, particularly to developing countries,
Mrs Jihyun Lee, Director of the Office of Environment Management and Mineral Resourcesof the ISA Secretariat delivered a presentationon the “Context, development and future prospects of the ISA-China Joint Training and Research Centre”.
28. A video presentation about JTRC was also
made by Mr Jun Jiang, Deputy Permanent
Representative of China to ISA.
29. This session was followed by an interactive break-out group discussion that was facilitated by Mr Nyan Lin. Participants made thefollowing recommendations:• Consideration should be given by ISA toform strategic partnerships with existing
national and regional institutions to create
platforms to strengthen international
cooperationforcapacitybuilding/
development and transfer of marine
science technology instead of establishing
new regional centres in each region.

•

•

•

Consideration should be given by ISA
to explore opportunities to ensuresustainable funding for the functioningof regional centres including by exploringnecessary arrangements for co-funding
with respective regional institutions.
Consideration should be given to establish
an online training platform that would
enable the sharing of information and theoutcomes of marine scientific researchcruises or programmes.
Consideration should be given to establish
an ISA audio-visual library through which it
will be possible to sensitize on the role andfunctions of ISA as well as critical issues
under discussion by the Council and theAssembly.

Session VII: Assessment of capacity
needs and priorities
30. Session VII took place in two segments.
One, from 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm on Tuesday 11
February 2020 and the other, on Wednesday
12 February from 9:00 am to 9:45 am. It
considered the theme “Assessment of capacity
needs and priorities”. The session was chairedby Ambassador Duncan Laki, Legal Adviser
at the Permanent Mission of Uganda to theUnited Nations; Mr Sai S. Navoti, Chief, SIDS
Unit, UN-DESA was the Rapporteur.
31. The first presentation was made by H.E.
Ms Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries(LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries(LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States(SIDS) who spoke on the “Importance of capacity- building for LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS
in the context of the 2030 Agenda and otherhigh-level frameworks”. The second presentation, a case study entitled: “Overview of theTechnology Bank for LDCs” was presented by
Mr Joshua Setipa, Director of the United Nations Technology Bank (UN-TB). Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon was the third presenter. She
spoke on the theme: “Identification of capacity
development needs and priorities by developing67International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

States – What methodology?”. The fourth andfinal presentation of the first segment of thissession was a case study entitled: “Overview
of the potential future capacity needs in deepsea research related to the protection of marine environment”. This comprehensive brief wasdelivered by Dr Luciano Genio, Environmental
Analyst, ISA.
32. The second segment of this session started
with a presentation by Professor Ronan Long,
Director at the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean
Institute of the World Maritime University andfocused on the activities undertaken by this organization to “Enhance the role of women inmarine scientific research”. This was followed
and complemented by a presentation deliveredby Dr Marie Bourrel-McKinnon, Senior Policy
Officer at ISA, which aimed at detailing further
the engagement of ISA in “Enhancing the participation of women in deep sea research”.
33. Participants acknowledged the work undertaken by the Secretariat to increase the participation of women in marine scientific researchand gender parity; and suggested to strengthen measures to increase the participationof women in capacity building opportunities,
including by implementing specific outreachactivities.
34. Following discussions held during the interactive break-out group session chaired by
H.E Laki which specifically focused on the“Special needs of SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs”, participants made several suggestions including
the possibility for the Secretariat to develop amatrix or a data bank containing (i) information
supplied by member States and other stakeholders stipulating or listing the capacity priorities and needs of SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs; and(ii) information regarding existing institutions,frameworks and all mechanisms currently available to be accessed by developing countries
including the UN Technology Bank for LDCs.

68

Session VIII: Building strategic
partnerships in support of ISA’scapacity development programmes
and initiatives
35. This session was chaired by H.E Gina Guillen-Grillo, Permanent Representative of Costa
Rica to ISA. Mr Paul Msoma, Interim Directorof the Africa Minerals Development Centre of
the Africa Union acted as rapporteur.
36. Dr Cesar Toro, of IOC-UNESCO, provided
participants with a presentation highlighting
the importance of “Building synergies andopportunities through the UN Decade of Ocean
Science to enhance the capacity development
programme and initiatives of ISA”. This wasfollowed by a presentation from the Secretary-General of ISA, Mr Michael W. Lodge, on
the “Future of capacity development and technology transfer to meet the needs of developing States”.
37. This session was followed by an interactive
break-out group discussion that was facilitated by the Chair, H.E Gina Guillen-Grillo, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to ISA.
Participants made the following recommendations:••

Consideration should be given by each
Member of ISA to identify a national
focal point for dissemination at thenational level, of information on thecapacity development opportunities to be
implemented by ISA. Information on suchnational focal points should be updated
regularly. The ISA Secretariat is invited todevelop Terms of Reference on the roleand responsibilities of national focal points
that will be submitted for consideration by
the Assembly.
Consideration should be given by each
Member of ISA to identify potential
partners at national level, with which

International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment

•

•

•
•

ISA could develop, in close cooperation,
specific training and capacity development
initiatives.
Consideration should be given to ensure
that, through a programmatic approach,sensitization seminars are undertaken by
ISA in all regions to raise awareness ofnational and regional representatives on
the role and responsibilities of ISA and how
to increase engagement in the activities
undertaken in the Area.
Consideration should be given by ISA
to strengthen the network for the
dissemination of information on training
opportunities.
Consideration should be given to develop
and share a framework for partnershipwith ISA.
Consideration should be given to take
into account existing initiatives andnetworks of other UN agencies, including

the UN Technology Bank, to disseminate
information on capacity development
programmes and initiatives to be
implemented by ISA.

3. Outcomes and way 			forward38. The discussions held during the ninesessions of the workshop provided the ISA
Secretariat with the relevant elements to startdeveloping a dedicated strategy designedwith the view to enable ISA, in cooperation
with all relevant stakeholders, to develop andimplement the necessary programmes andinitiatives to meet the specific needs andpriorities of developing States Members of
ISA, taking into particular consideration theneed for SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs.

69

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