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New York UN

STATEMENT BY MS AMANDA CHONG, DEPUTY SENIOR STATE COUNSEL, ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, SINGAPORE, ON AGENDA ITEM 9, INFORMATION REPORTED BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY, THIRTY-FIFTH MEETING OF STATES PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA, NEW YORK, 23 JUNE 2025

23 June 2025

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1 My delegation congratulates Ms Leticia Carvalho of Brazil for her election as Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, the first woman and Latin American to hold the position. We appreciate her briefing on the activities carried out by the Authority. 

2 My delegation reaffirms our full support for the work of the Authority, as a key pillar of ocean governance established by the Convention, which has played a critical role in regulating and controlling the activities in the international seabed area, to prevent the unbridled exploitation of deep-seabed mineral resources. 

3 Singapore reiterates our position that all deep seabed mining activities within the Area should be carried out in accordance with the legal framework in the Convention and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the Convention. These instruments affirm that the Area and its resources are the common heritage of humankind and require the effective protection of the marine environment from the harmful effects that may arise from activities in the Area. This, for my delegation, is critical. 

4 The Convention and the 1994 Agreement are also clear that the Authority has a duty to elaborate and eventually adopt rules, regulations and procedures relating to exploitation of mineral resources in the Area. We welcome the progress made by the Council of the Authority in their deliberations on the draft exploitation rules, regulations and procedures (“RRPs”). Singapore remains committed to completing the adoption of the exploitation RRPs, as in our view, it is the best way to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects of exploitation activities, and that any environmental impacts are monitored, addressed and mitigated.  

5 Singapore will continue to contribute actively and constructively to the Authority and its work on the regulatory regime for exploitation activities, including in our capacity as Vice President of the Council. We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring robust safeguards for the effective protection of the marine environment in the exploitation RRPs. We encourage all States Parties to support the work of the Authority, avoid undertaking initiatives that duplicate and undermine the processes and mandate of the Authority, and allow existing discussions at the Authority to take their course and avoid prejudging outcomes. 

6 Thank you very much for your attention.

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