Benchmark at International Seabed Authority meeting as global commercial framework remains unresolved

Bryan Bille, Benchmark's lead policy and geopolitical analyst, attended Part II of the International Seabed Authority's (ISA) 31st session in Kingston, Jamaica, from 23–29 July. On 24 July, the ISA Council concluded two weeks of negotiations without adopting the International Mining Code, the framework required for commercial extraction from the seabed in international waters. Key issues, including environmental safeguards, liability, inspection, and benefit-sharing, remain unresolved. Experts expect negotiations to continue for at least another three to four years before an overall agreement can be reached.