Twenty-seven technical, legal and scientific experts representing sixteen Exploration Contractors began a two-day workshop today, hosted by the International Seabed Authority in Kingston.

The workshop was convened to inform contractors of the progress of the Authority's data management strategy, review its structure, enlist assistance to fill in gaps in data coverage and encourage discussion and feedback. 

The workshop also provides an opportunity for the Authority to bring in line, recommendations contained in the final report on the periodic review of the International Seabed Authority pursuant to article 154 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea related to exploration contracts and extensions, and improve deficiencies of the current review of annual contractor reports.

Other issues to be discussed at the workshop include the Contractor training programmes and  identifying potential areas of collaboration between Contractors and with the Authority. 

The representatives are from the Government of India, Deep Ocean Resources Development Co. Ltd., Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of Germany, China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association, Government of the Republic of Korea, China Minmetals Corporation, UK Seabed Resources Ltd., Institut fran?ais de recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer, Global Sea Mineral Resources NV, Nauru Ocean Resources Inc., Yuzhmorgeologiya, the Government of Russia, Ocean Mineral Singapore Pte Ltd., Interoceanmetal Joint Organization and Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, and the Cook Islands Investment Corporation.