A Historical Perspective: The Evolution of the International Seabed Authority

Michael Wood

Chapter 1 A Historical Perspective

The Evolution of the International Seabed Authority

In: The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Part XI Regime and the International Seabed Authority: A Twenty-Five Year Journey

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Michael Wood

Michael Wood
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 39–63

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004507388_006

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Abstract

This contribution recalls developments prior to the establishment of the International Seabed Authority on 16 November 1994: Pardo’s 1967 speech; the Seabed Committees (1968–1973); the 1969 “Moratorium” resolution; the 1970 Declaration of Principles; the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III: 1973–1982); the Preparatory Commission (1983–1994); and the Secretary-General’s informal consultations (1990–1994) leading to the 1994 Implementation Agreement.

The negotiation of Part XI at UNCLOS III proved to be intensely political, starting during the era of the “New International Economic Order”. By the 1990s, however, ideological differences were less pronounced. During its formative years (1994–2004), the Authority focused mainly on organizational matters. While progress was often slow and difficult, this was because of the inherent complexity of Part XI of the Convention and the 1994 Agreement, and the inevitable problems that arise when establishing, on an evolutionary and cost-effective basis, a new – in some respects unique – international organization. This required leadership, not least from the Authority’s first Secretary-General, the late Satya N. Nandan, and a willingness amongst all delegates to work towards practical solutions.

Since the early years, steady progress has been made on substantive as well as on organizational matters. More than fifty years after deep-seabed mining was first taken up within the United Nations, the International Seabed Authority stands on the brink of dealing with the commercial exploitation of the resources concerned. It is, hopefully, well equipped to do so.

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The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Part XI Regime and the International Seabed Authority: A Twenty-Five Year Journey

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004507388

Publisher:: Brill | Nijhoff

Print Publication Date:: 13 Apr 2022

Subjects
- International Law
  - International Law: General Interest
  - Law of the Sea

Front Matter

Chapters

Part 1 The Evolution of the International Seabed Authority from 1994 to Date

Part 2 Common Heritage of Mankind and Capacity Building under UNCLOS

Part 3 Dispute Settlement and Right to Redress under Part XI of UNCLOS

Part 4 Scientific Aspects of Deep-Seabed Mining

Part 5 Sponsoring States and Liability Issues

Part 6 Future Prospects

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Chapter 1 A Historical Perspective

The Evolution of the International Seabed Authority

Abstract

Citation Info

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The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Part XI Regime and the International Seabed Authority: A Twenty-Five Year Journey

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