KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Pearnel Charles Jr, says the necessary regulatory framework must be in place to ensure that all states benefit from exploitation of the mineral resources of the deep seabed in areas beyond national jurisdictions.

He noted that the common heritage of mankind principle in international law requires that exploitation “must be for the benefit of all humankind and in the interest of all nations, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development. This requires, among other things, an effective benefit-sharing scheme”.

Charles Jr was delivering Jamaica’s statement at the 24th Session of the General Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston today.

The ISA is developing regulations on exploitation of the mineral resources in the area. The draft regulations are being reviewed and refined.

Charles Jr urged member states to ensure that decisions taken to promote the use of the area beyond a country’s national jurisdiction must be done for “peaceful purposes”.

Also that, “the rights conferred on any private party respect the collective property in the Area, and that we provide equal access to all and promote the active participation of developing countries.”

He noted that Jamaica is appreciative of the increasing emphasis being placed on environmental concerns and the importance of Regional Environmental Management Plans.

“You can be assured of Jamaica’s support for the authority’s efforts to reach an agreement on measures to avoid any possible negative environmental consequences that might arise from the exploration for and exploitation of marine minerals in the deep seabed,” he said.

Charles Jr further assured the Secretary-General of the ISA, Michael Lodge, and the 168 member states, of Jamaica’s support and commitment to strengthening relations.

He acknowledged the steps that have been taken this year to improve the Secretariat building, adding that “we will continue in earnest to implement measures that will result in even greater comfort, efficiencies and utility for the Secretariat”.

The state minister said Jamaica welcomes the ISA’s strategic plan for the period 2019 to 2023, which, he noted, adequately covers its mandate.

The five-year plan embodies the ISA’s vision for implementing Part XI and other provisions related to the deep seabed beyond a national jurisdiction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its 1994 Implementation Agreement.

This relates to activities that shall be organised, carried out and controlled by the Authority on behalf of mankind as a whole.