Organs
The Assembly, the Council, the Secretariat, the Legal and Technical Commission, the Finance Committee and the Enterprise.
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International Seabed Authority
About ISA
An autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI.
Mandate
Organizing and controlling activities in the Area
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1994 Agreement).
ISA is the organization through which States Parties to UNCLOS organize and control all mineral-resources-related activities in the Area for the benefit of humankind as a whole. In so doing, ISA has the mandate to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep-seabed-related activities.
As of 6 February 2026
The Area and its resources are the common heritage of humankind
172
Members, including 171 Member States and the European Union
54%
of the total area of the world’s oceans — the Area
1994
came into existence on 16 November, on entry into force of UNCLOS
1996
fully operational as an autonomous international organization, June
Headquarters
Kingston, Jamaica
ISA, which has its headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, came into existence on 16 November 1994, upon the entry into force of UNCLOS. It became fully operational as an autonomous international organization in June 1996, when it took over the premises and facilities in Kingston, Jamaica, previously used by the United Nations Kingston Office for the Law of the Sea.
In accordance with UNCLOS, Article 156(2), all States Parties to UNCLOS are ipso facto members of ISA. As of 6 February 2026, ISA has 172 Members, including 171 Member States and the European Union.
The Area and its resources are the common heritage of humankind. The Area covers around 54 per cent of the total area of the world’s oceans.
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More about ISA
Member States
All States Parties to UNCLOS are ipso facto members of ISA — every Member by regional group.
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Observers
Observer States, United Nations system and intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
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Q&A on the International Seabed Authority and Ocean Governance
Answers to frequently asked questions about ISA and ocean governance.
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Career Opportunities
ISA embraces diversity and values a wide spectrum of views, cultures, and academic and professional backgrounds.
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Contact Us
Questions about ISA?
International Seabed Authority, 14 - 20 Port Royal Street, Kingston, Jamaica.