Qatar Joins Seabed Authority Meeting to Support Ocean Protection

Photo: Qatar News Agency

The State of Qatar actively participated in the 30th session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly. This important event was held from July 21 to 25 in Kingston, the capital city of Jamaica.

The ISA is a global body that manages activities related to the seabed, especially in areas that lie outside any country's national control. These areas, often referred to as “the Area,” are rich in resources like rare minerals and metals found deep underwater. At the same time, they are home to fragile and unexplored marine life. The ISA plays a key role in making sure the seabed is used responsibly and its environment is protected.

Qatar’s Representative at the ISA Assembly

Qatar was represented by Omar Ali Al Ali, who serves as the Assistant Secretary of the Standing Committee of the Convention on the Law of the Sea. He was the main spokesperson for Qatar during the ISA session.

Al Ali took part in several discussions throughout the week and delivered Qatar’s official statement during the session. His remarks were part of the agenda item (8), which focused on the Annual Report of the Secretary-General of the ISA.

Qatar Reaffirms Commitment to Ocean Governance

In his speech, Al Ali clearly expressed Qatar’s strong support for the ISA and its goals. He said that Qatar believes in the authority’s mission to ensure that seabed resources are used fairly and that the environment is protected.

He highlighted that Qatar supports the ISA’s operations under two key legal agreements:

1. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982
2. The 1994 Agreement related to the implementation of Part XI of the Convention

These agreements set the legal rules for how countries should behave when it comes to the oceans. They cover everything from fishing rights and shipping to environmental protection and seabed mining.

Protecting the Ocean While Using Its Resources

One of the most important messages in Al Ali’s statement was the need to strike a balance between using ocean resources and protecting the marine environment.

The deep seabed contains valuable minerals that countries want to extract for use in technology, such as batteries, electronics, and clean energy systems. However, mining these minerals can be harmful to deep-sea ecosystems if not done carefully.

Qatar called for a scientific approach to seabed mining. This means that before any activity takes place, proper research must be conducted to understand how it might impact marine life. Al Ali emphasized that this is essential to protect marine biodiversity—the variety of life found in the ocean.

By doing so, countries can make sure that mining does not destroy delicate underwater ecosystems that may take hundreds or even thousands of years to recover. This responsible method will also help ensure that future generations can benefit from a healthy ocean.

Sustainability for the Future

Al Ali also connected the need for environmental protection to the larger goal of sustainable development. He explained that protecting the ocean is not just about today—it is about making sure that natural resources remain available and the environment stays healthy for future generations.

He said that sustainable development means meeting the needs of the present without harming the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In this context, deep-sea protection plays an important role in the broader global sustainability agenda.

Qatar Welcomes World Deep-Sea Day

In a positive step forward, Qatar welcomed the ISA’s move to adopt a draft resolution for an annual "World Deep-Sea Day". The Assembly agreed that this day will be observed on November 1st every year.

The purpose of this day is to raise global awareness about the deep sea, its importance to the planet, and the need to protect it. Qatar praised this decision, saying that it would help encourage education, research, and public interest in deep-sea conservation.

By celebrating this day every year, more people around the world can learn about the value of the deep sea and the challenges it faces. This can also help attract more young scientists and ocean advocates to work in the field of marine protection.

Cooperation with the International Community

Qatar’s participation in the ISA session also shows its commitment to working with the international community to tackle global environmental issues. The oceans connect all countries, and what happens in one part of the sea can affect ecosystems and people in other parts of the world.

That’s why global cooperation is essential. The ISA provides a platform where countries can come together, share knowledge, and make fair and science-based decisions on how to use and protect the deep seabed.

Qatar emphasized its willingness to be a constructive partner in these efforts and to contribute positively to ongoing global dialogue and policies about the oceans.

Ocean Protection is a Shared Responsibility

Qatar’s role at the ISA Assembly was a clear sign that the country takes ocean protection seriously. It voiced strong support for science-based decision-making, long-term sustainability, and international cooperation.

Qatar’s speech showed that it understands the risks and opportunities of deep-sea resource use. It believes that with careful planning and research, it is possible to develop ocean resources without damaging marine life.

The announcement of World Deep-Sea Day was one of the positive highlights of the session, and Qatar’s support for it further shows its dedication to protecting Earth’s last great frontier—the deep sea.

As climate change and human activity continue to threaten the oceans, actions like these help set a good example for other countries to follow. By taking part in such events, Qatar is helping to shape the future of the planet’s oceans in a way that respects nature, supports science, and benefits people worldwide.