Our delegation, along with allies from civil society groups and indigenous communities, has made our presence felt inside and outside the conference room. Together, we raised our voices to remind delegates that there is a world outside the walls of the ISA that is increasingly opposed to deep-ocean mining.
The presence and voices of people from various organizations and communities, particularly from the Pacific region, played a critical role in getting our message across during the ISA meeting.
Key moments at the ISA meeting:
Two-year ruling loophole
Intensive Discussions on Addressing the Two-Year Rule Loophole: The meeting witnessed heated discussions on how to deal with the two-year rule loophole, which could allow mining requests to be approved without proper regulations in place. This poses a serious threat to the delicate ecosystems of the deep ocean.
Fortunately, no agreement was reached on closing a two-year ruling loophole. This means that there is still hope to prevent mining applications from slipping away without proper safeguards.
“Roadmap” for Mining Regulations:
There have been discussions about a “roadmap” for accelerating mining systems. Some countries have sought to speed up the adoption process, while others, with the support of Greenpeace and its allies, have pushed for stronger protections and a precautionary approach.
Indicative Timeline for Ongoing Negotiations: The Roadmap now sets out an indicative timeline for further negotiations on the Mining Act over the next two-and-a-half years, with a non-binding goal of adopting the regulations by 2025. While this timeline is not perfect, it provides an opportunity for further advocacy and scrutiny to ensure the best protection of our oceans.
Stop deep sea mining:
It is encouraging that the ISA has held discussions on the endowment for the first time in history. Although no decisions have been made, this represents an important step forward in addressing growing opposition to deep sea mining.
What happens next at the ISA meeting:
The upcoming ISA meeting holds great promise for our campaign. We expect discussions around the moratorium to intensify, moving us from negotiations focused solely on facilitating mining to creating space to discuss effective protection of our oceans from this destructive industry. This is a critical opportunity to gather more support and action for meaningful action to protect our marine ecosystems.
Transparency remains an issue, and effective participation in ISA meetings remains restricted. However, we remain steadfast in our fight to protect our oceans and marine life.
Sign the petition to stop deep sea mining!
We want to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who have signed our petition, shared our message, and stood with us during this difficult time. Together, we will continue to raise our voices, urging the ISA and its member states to prioritize the protection of our oceans over short-term economic gains.
Our work is not finished, and we will keep you posted on developments and other job opportunities. Let us remain united in our commitment to protecting our beautiful oceans and the life they support. Now more than ever, we need your help to protect our oceans from the threat of deep sea mining. By signing our petition, you can add your voice to the growing global opposition against this harmful industry.
Sign the petition to stop deep sea mining
Together, we can call on the ISA and its member states to:
- Close the two-year rule loophole: Ensure that mining requests cannot be approved without the necessary regulations in place, protecting the ocean depths from unnecessary risks.
- Support the moratorium: Advocate for a moratorium on deep-sea mining to buy time for thorough research and understanding of potential impacts on marine life and ecosystems.
- Prioritize ocean protection: Urging governments to prioritize ocean conservation over short-term economic interests, and to protect the long-term health of our oceans for future generations.
Join us in this decisive movement to protect our beautiful oceans! Click the link below to sign the petition and be part of this global effort to preserve our marine ecosystems:
Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to protecting our oceans. Together, we can make a difference and secure a sustainable future for all life on Earth.