CIL-ISA Joint Workshop on Mineral Exploitation

CIL ISA - panellists VIPS

Introduction

On 17 June 2015, the Centre for International Law (CIL) and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) held a joint workshop on mineral exploitation in the Area in Singapore, focused on issues relating to the development of a sustainable deep sea mining industry. The Workshop was co-chaired by Professor Tommy Koh, Chairman, CIL Governing Board and Mr Michael Lodge, Deputy to the Secretary-General and Legal Counsel, International Seabed Authority (ISA). The objective of the Workshop was to continue the process of stakeholder participation by having an active and vibrant discussion on the Workshop’s topic areas with a view to canvassing the main perspectives and concerns of stakeholder groups represented at the workshop and proposing possible next steps. The Workshop was well attended with participants representing a broad cross section of stakeholders including the ISA Secretariat and Legal and Technical Committee Members, contractors, State sponsors, NGOs, academia and other stakeholders.

Programme

DAY 1 : TUESDAY, 16 JUNE 2015
7.00pm – 9.30pm	Welcome Dinner (Venue: Mandarin Orchard Singapore)
DAY 2 : WEDNESDAY, 17 JUNE 2015
8.30am – 9.00am	Registration
9.00am – 9.05am	Welcome by Professor Robert Beckman Director, Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore
9.05am – 9.45am	Keynote Address by Mr. Nii Odunton Secretary-General, International Seabed Authority
9.45am – 10.00am	Workshop : Context & Objectives
10.00am – 10.30am	TEA BREAK
10.30am – 12.30pm	SESSION ONE: Draft Framework for the Regulation of Exploitation ActivitiesModerator: Mr. Michael Lodge Deputy Secretary-General, International Seabed Authority Panellists: Ms. Sreekala Kumar, Keppel Offshore & Marine Technology Centre Mr. Duncan Currie, Globelaw Dr. Philomene Verlaan, University of Hawai’i Mr. Josh Brien, Commonwealth Secretariat, London Mr. Nick Merritt, Norton Rose Fulbright Mr. Dominic Roughton, Herbert Smith Freehills
12.30pm – 2.00pm	LUNCH
2.00pm – 3.30pm	SESSION TWO: Financial Terms of Exploitation Contracts Moderator: Professor Tommy Koh, Chairman of the Governing Board, Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore Panellists: Mr. Chris Brown, Chartered Tax Adviser Mr. Romeo Spinelli, Jantzen & Spinelli Capital Power GmbH Mr. Daniel Millet, DNV GL Ms. Soh Pui Ming, Ernst & Young, Singapore
3.30pm – 4.00pm	TEA BREAK
4.00pm – 5.00pm	SESSION THREE: Summary of Discussions, Feedback & Next StepsModerators: Mr. Michael Lodge, Deputy Secretary-General International Seabed Authority Professor Tommy Koh, Chairman of the Governing Board, Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore

Download the programme (PDF)

Keynote Speech

Keynote Speech by Mr. Nii Odunton, Secretary-General, International Seabed Authority.

Presentations

Presentation by Mr. Duncan Currie, Globelaw
Presentation by Mr. Mr. Nick Merritt, Norton Rose Fulbright
Presentation by Mr. Chris Brown, Chartered Tax Adviser

Workshop Report in ISA Briefing Paper 04/2015

To download the workshop report, please click here.

ISA Press Release

To access the press release, please click here.