ISA 31st session/ISAKenya has secured a seat on the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for the 2027–2030 term, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei has announced.
ISA is an international organisation established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to oversee mineral-related activities in areas of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction.
It currently has 172 members, comprising 171 states and the European Union.
The body is responsible for regulating activities and the use of mineral resources in international waters.
Kenya secured a seat on the council after member states elected council members during the ISA Assembly’s 31st session in Kingston, Jamaica.
Announcing the development, the PS said the election reflected the confidence placed in Kenya by the international community and recognised the country’s longstanding commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“Kenya is honoured to have been elected to the council of the International Seabed Authority for the 2027–2030 term,” Sing’oei said in a statement.
Kenya’s election, the PS noted, would enable the country to contribute to efforts aimed at promoting rules-based ocean governance, sustainable management of the common heritage of humankind and the advancement of maritime scientific research.
Sing’oei said Kenya would use its position to advance an equitable and inclusive approach to stewardship of the world’s oceans.
He also linked the country’s new role to commitments made during major ocean-focused conferences hosted by Kenya.
Kenya hosted the Nairobi Sustainable Blue Economy conference and the Mombasa Eleventh Our Ocean conference, the first edition of the Our Ocean conference to be held in Africa.
According to Sing’oei, Kenya will remain focused on ensuring the outcomes of the two conferences are implemented in partnership with ISA members.
"Kenya will remain committed to ensuring that the outcomes of the Nairobi Sustainable Blue Economy Conference and the Mombasa Eleventh Our Ocean Conference are implemented in close partnership with ISA members, and in line with UNCLOS mandate," he stated.
ISA council is one of the authority’s principal organs and plays a central role in developing policies and regulations governing activities in the area.
The council’s work includes consideration of regulations for the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources in the international seabed area.
Kenya’s four-year term will therefore place it within an important decision-making forum as countries continue negotiations on the rules governing activities in the seabed area.
The ISA’s 31st session included consideration of the election to fill vacancies on the Council for the 2027–2030 period under Article 161(3) of UNCLOS.
The convention provides for council members to serve four-year terms.
Kenya’s four-year tenure on the council will consequently give it a platform to participate in shaping international rules on the use and protection of the global seabed while advancing its broader blue economy agenda.
