Kenya has been elected to the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for the 2027-2030 term.
ISA is an international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to oversee activities related to mineral resources in oceans beyond national jurisdiction.
The council consists of 172 members, 171 states and the European Union. It regulates activities and the use of mineral resources in international waters.
ISA is responsible for approving contracts for seabed exploration and mining, developing regulations that ensure environmental protection, balancing resource use with sustainability and equitable benefit-sharing and representing the interests of member of states in decision-making.
Kenya selection for ISA was announced by Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei. He said the election has shown confidence of the international community in Kenya’s commitment to the UNCLOS and rules-based ocean governance.
“This election reflects the confidence of the international community in Kenya’s longstanding commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), rules based ocean governance, sustainable management of the common heritage of humankind and advancing maritime scientific research as well as equitable and inclusive stewardship of the world’s oceans,” Sing’oei said.
Kenya intends to use its position to support sustainable management of marine resources while promoting international cooperation on ocean conservation.
The announcement was made during the 31st Session of the ISA, held at Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.
