MALTA RE-ELECTED FOR A FURTHER FOUR-YEAR TERM TO THE COUNCIL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY

MALTA RE-ELECTED FOR A FURTHER FOUR-YEAR TERM TO THE COUNCIL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY

During the Sixth Session of the International Seabed Authority meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, Malta was formally re-elected to serve for a further four-year term to the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) that will run between 2001 – 2004. The Western European and other States Group (WEOG) endorsed Malta to occupy one of the seats reserved for the regional group on the Council.

Malta was initially elected to the Council in March 2000, to replace Italy which had vacated its seat in the Council Chamber reserved for members from different geographical regions.

During the Session, a compromise agreement was reached which enabled the adoption of the Mining Code. The conclusion of the code will allow the International Seabed Authority to begin a new phase of its activities aimed at the exploitation of the mineral resources of the ocean floor for the benefit of mankind, as was envisaged by Malta through its first Permanent Representative to the United Nations, the late Arvid Pardo.