discussed. With respect to seabed mining, NGOs or non-profits such as Greenpeace
International, Conservation International, and the Pew Charitable Trust are observers
at the ISA, as are academic think-tanks and research groups such as the Institute for
Advanced Sustainability Studies. Although they have no voting rights, this status
allows them to raise interventions and make written submissions or comments at
appropriate stages. In relation to shipping, industry representing shipowners and
marine insurance agencies have a large presence. For example, the International
Chamber of Shipping and the International Council of Classification Societies have
consultative status at the IMO. In recent years, independent expert networks have
also found a place in agenda-setting as well as at the negotiation table. They
primarily provide scientific input and assist in policy-framing efforts. For instance,
the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
have been accorded with observer status at the ISA and actively participate in its
official proceedings.
Next, the significance of regional-focused regimes will be highlighted. In particular, this refers to the Regional Seas Programmes (RSPs) which exist through UNEP
or independently from it, and the numerous Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) that have been created by or through the FAO or independently
from it as well. As mentioned above, these regional arrangements are discussed here
because they are mostly autonomous from the UN system, although they may
receive some financial and technical assistance, as well as hosting facilities from
UNEP or FAO.
Through the initiatives of UNEP, notably the creation of the Regional Seas
Programme (RSP) in 1974, numerous regional arrangements have come into existence. To date, there are 18 RSPs and Action Plans (of which UNEP hosts 7) in
existence with the participation of some 143 countries. The RSPs are located in the
following marine areas: Mediterranean, ROPME Sea Area (the Gulf of Arabia and
Oman leading out into to Arabian Sea), Western Africa, South-East Pacific, Red Sea
and Gulf of Aden, Wider Caribbean, Eastern Africa, Pacific, Black Sea, North-East
Pacific, East Asian Seas, South Asian Seas, Northwest Pacific.
41 While most have
evolved into the conclusion of a regional treaty with their respective associated
protocols dealing with specific matters,
42 others remain in the form of soft law
41 UNEP (2018).
42 Namely, the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution 1976
(Barcelona Convention), the Regional Convention for Cooperation on the Protection of the Marine
Environment from Pollution 1978 (Kuwait Convention), the Convention for Cooperation in the
Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Atlantic
Coast of the West, Central and Southern Africa Region 1981 (Abidjan Convention), the Convention
for the Protection of the Marine Environment and Coastal Zones of the South-East Pacific 1981
(Lima Convention), the Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
Environment 1982 (Jeddah Convention), the Convention for the Protection and Development of the
Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region 1983 (Cartagena Convention), the Convention
of the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the
Eastern African Region 1985, (Nairobi Convention), the Convention for the Protection of the
Natural Resources and Environment of the South Pacific Region 1986 (Noumea Convention), the
46
P. A. Singh
International, Conservation International, and the Pew Charitable Trust are observers
at the ISA, as are academic think-tanks and research groups such as the Institute for
Advanced Sustainability Studies. Although they have no voting rights, this status
allows them to raise interventions and make written submissions or comments at
appropriate stages. In relation to shipping, industry representing shipowners and
marine insurance agencies have a large presence. For example, the International
Chamber of Shipping and the International Council of Classification Societies have
consultative status at the IMO. In recent years, independent expert networks have
also found a place in agenda-setting as well as at the negotiation table. They
primarily provide scientific input and assist in policy-framing efforts. For instance,
the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
have been accorded with observer status at the ISA and actively participate in its
official proceedings.
Next, the significance of regional-focused regimes will be highlighted. In particular, this refers to the Regional Seas Programmes (RSPs) which exist through UNEP
or independently from it, and the numerous Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) that have been created by or through the FAO or independently
from it as well. As mentioned above, these regional arrangements are discussed here
because they are mostly autonomous from the UN system, although they may
receive some financial and technical assistance, as well as hosting facilities from
UNEP or FAO.
Through the initiatives of UNEP, notably the creation of the Regional Seas
Programme (RSP) in 1974, numerous regional arrangements have come into existence. To date, there are 18 RSPs and Action Plans (of which UNEP hosts 7) in
existence with the participation of some 143 countries. The RSPs are located in the
following marine areas: Mediterranean, ROPME Sea Area (the Gulf of Arabia and
Oman leading out into to Arabian Sea), Western Africa, South-East Pacific, Red Sea
and Gulf of Aden, Wider Caribbean, Eastern Africa, Pacific, Black Sea, North-East
Pacific, East Asian Seas, South Asian Seas, Northwest Pacific.
41 While most have
evolved into the conclusion of a regional treaty with their respective associated
protocols dealing with specific matters,
42 others remain in the form of soft law
41 UNEP (2018).
42 Namely, the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution 1976
(Barcelona Convention), the Regional Convention for Cooperation on the Protection of the Marine
Environment from Pollution 1978 (Kuwait Convention), the Convention for Cooperation in the
Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Atlantic
Coast of the West, Central and Southern Africa Region 1981 (Abidjan Convention), the Convention
for the Protection of the Marine Environment and Coastal Zones of the South-East Pacific 1981
(Lima Convention), the Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
Environment 1982 (Jeddah Convention), the Convention for the Protection and Development of the
Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region 1983 (Cartagena Convention), the Convention
of the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the
Eastern African Region 1985, (Nairobi Convention), the Convention for the Protection of the
Natural Resources and Environment of the South Pacific Region 1986 (Noumea Convention), the
46
P. A. Singh