Kampala — Seabed mining experts from all over the world convened from 2 to 4 May 2017 in the capital of the landlocked state of Uganda to discuss opportunities and explore the potentials of marine mineral resources in contributing to the regional and global development goals.

In his opening remarks, Michael Lodge, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, said,

"This workshop on the marine mineral resources of Africa's continental shelf and adjacent international seabed area is unique, and it is also the first time that we are discussing marine mineral resources in a landlocked country. This is a clear example of what the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) calls for--that marine resources belong to us all--a common heritage to mankind. And Least Developed Countries and landlocked states have access to these resources and benefits from them."

This groundbreaking event was a first of its kind and was organized by the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC), the Government of Uganda, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), GRID-Arendal of Norway, and PEW Charitable Trust. The initiative gathered key stakeholders and global experts of marine mineral resources together to strategize future partnerships and activities that will harness the resources in the continent's 20 million square kilometers of maritime areas.

Among the topics discussed were the relevance of marine resources on the global development agenda, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 14, which called for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources.

The discussions were divided into the following sessions:

Law of the Sea regime and its importance for the sustainable development of the African continent

Prospecting, exploration and exploitation activities in national continental shelves and international seabed area

Production, management and dissemination of geological, mineral and environmental information

Establishment of African Centres of Excellence on seabed mapping and spatial planning

Promotion of Public and Private Partnerships (PPPs) for preparation of application for plan of work for exploration in the Area by African nationals

AMDC with an observer status with ISA pushes for the implementation of the Africa Mining Vision (AMV), the continental framework to reform and transform the mining sector. AMDC sees this workshop as a key component into the fruition of the AMV as it is aligned with its aim in harnessing the region's mineral resources for socio-economic transformation.

The workshop raised interest and engagement among African States and partners about the potential for prospecting, exploration and exploitation activities in the African continental shelf and in the adjacent international seabed area. Other important initiatives that were discussed included:

Strengthening of the African legal framework to support the sustainable development of Africa's Maritime Domain and Africa's Blue Economy

Promotion of the production, management and dissemination of geological and mineral information and how to create spatial data infrastructures (SDIs) to support decision-making, investment and governance of African-based seabed activities.

Establishment of African Centres of Excellence to provide African States with increased access to marine geo-scientific information

Identification of potential Public-Private Partnerships to allow application for plan of work for exploration in the Area by African companies and governmental agencies;

For more information:

Daisy Diamante Leoncio

African Minerals Development Centre

leoncio@un.org