a The decision was made in Portugal on Friday, within the scope of the Council and Assembly meetings of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), where member states are debating whether or not to give the green light to controversial deep-sea mining.
Speaking to Lusa Agency, the Minister of Economy and the Sea noted that “the delegation representing Portugal expressed its position that there cannot be any deep-sea mining activities.”
“We have to take a precautionary break and I think many countries are following us around the world, therefore, what we are asking is to clarify the regulatory framework and, above all, to develop larger activities in the field of scientific research and scientific knowledge, anticipating all the gaps and filling them,” said Antonio Costa e Silva. all existing loopholes.
Portugal’s position has already received praise from several environmental organisations, such as the Associação Natureza Portugal (ANP), which works jointly with the WWF, the world’s largest independent nature conservation organization, Sciaena and SOA, who “congratulate[ra]by the Portuguese government”, such as the Oceano Azul Foundation.
The minister explained that the negotiations at the ISA, an intergovernmental organization established under the 1982 Convention of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, aimed to define a regulatory framework that would frame all interventions that might occur in the oceans.
Antonio Costa e Silva stated that “Portugal is very concerned about what could happen” and that the country remains faithful to all commitments made in defense of the preservation of the marine environment and sustainable use of resources, “in keeping with the precautionary principle and within the framework of international law”.
“What is happening is that, last Thursday, at the meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, no agreement was reached and there are already countries, some Pacific countries, such as the Republic of Nauru, that invoked a provision of the United Nations Convention on International Law, which provides for the possibility of activity Mining without regulation if there is no agreement. That is why we respond immediately, “he explained, thus formulating Portugal’s position.
Antonio Costa e Silva said this precautionary moratorium prevents any activities on the sea floor, “especially unregulated activities that do not comply with international standards.”
According to the minister, the next step is to continue negotiations towards a “clear agreement” that not only allows for the defense of the oceans, but also opens the way for more knowledge, noting that Portugal will work on “bilateral and multilateral coordination.” positions until there is a solution.
Antonio Costa e Silva stressed that countries, in general, have, so far, had a “blind relationship with the ocean”, without having scientific knowledge as a basis.
He argued, “We cannot, in an age like ours, allow blind interventions to once again exist in the ocean, without any scientific basis and without knowledge.”
The official said he believes Portugal’s position is supported “by most countries”.
He added, “The ocean for us is a stabilizer for the planet’s climate, an extraordinary asset that the planet has, and we must use it in a sustainable way and, above all, defend it.”
Meetings of the International Seabed Authority began on Monday the 10th and will run until 28 July.
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