Lesotho has actively participated in the 30th session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Kingston, Jamaica, which commenced on March 17, 2025. The two-week session is focused on drafting regulations for the exploitation of seabed mineral resources, a vital issue for the global community.
The ISA, a United Nations-mandated body, oversees seabed resources located beyond national jurisdictions, ensuring their responsible management for the benefit of all humanity. From March 17 to 26, the ISA Council, with Lesotho as a member, reviewed the Revised Consolidated Text of the Draft Exploitation Regulations. A high-level discussion on March 27 evaluated the readiness of Draft Standards and Guidelines based on updates made since 2022.
As a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Lesotho has a direct interest in the management of international seabed resources. Despite being landlocked, Lesotho’s participation is significant, as UNCLOS recognizes seabed mineral resources as the common heritage of humankind. This grants all nations, even those without coastlines, a share in the benefits of deep-sea mining.
