SEABED COUNCIL ENDS SESSION AFTER AGREEING TO TAP NONBUDGET FUNDS

FOR TRAVEL OF SOME MEMBERS OF ITS EXPERT BODIES

(Reissued as received.)

SEABED ASSEMBLY DISCUSSES SECRETARY-GENERAL’S ANNUAL REPORT

(Reissued as received.)

KINGSTON, 5 August (ISA) -- The Assembly of the International Seabed Authority, meeting this afternoon in Kingston, began its discussion of the report on the Authority’s activities during the past year and plans for its future work.  The report (document ISBA/9/A/3) was presented by the Secretary-General, Satya N. Nandan, at this morning’s meeting.

SEABED ASSEMBLY APPROVES FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS,

INCLUDING FUNDS FOR DEVELOPING-COUNTRY PARTICIPATION

(Reissued as received.)

SEABED COUNCIL NOTES LEGAL AND TECHNICAL COMMISSION REPORT

ON RULES FOR SULPHIDES AND CRUSTS, BIODIVERSITY ISSUES

CORRECTION

In Press Release SEA/1781, issued yesterday, 5 August, the second and third paragraphs from the bottom of page 4 should read:

SEABED COUNCIL NOTES LEGAL AND TECHNICAL COMMISSION REPORT ON RULES

FOR SULPHIDES AND CRUSTS, BIODIVERSITY ISSUES

(Reissued as received.)

KINGSTON, 4 August -- Commencing this morning the substantive work of its current session in Kingston, the Council of the International Seabed Authority discussed and took note of the report of its Legal and Technical Commission.

DOMENICO DA EMPOLI OF ITALY, PRESIDENT OF SEABED COUNCIL FOR 2003

(Reissued as received.)

KINGSTON, 4 August -- Domenico da Empoli (Italy), who was elected today as President of the Council of the International Seabed Authority at its ninth session (2003) in Kingston, is professor of public finance and public accounting at the University of Rome.

COUNCIL EXAMINES FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT, INCLUDING PLAN TO CONTINUE

FUND FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRY PARTICIPATION

(Reissued as received.)

COUNCIL EXAMINES FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT, INCLUDING PLAN TO CONTINUE

FUND FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRY PARTICIPATION

CORRECTION

SEABED COMMISSION AGREES TO LOOK AT HIGH SEAS BIODIVERSITY

(Reissued as received.)

KINGSTON, 31 July (International Seabed Authority) -- The Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) agreed in Kingston this afternoon on steps to involve itself more closely in biodiversity issues relating to deep-sea mineral exploration and exploitation.

SEABED ASSEMBLY AND COUNCIL OPEN KINGSTON SESSION

(Reissued as received.)

KINGSTON, 30 JULY (International Seabed Authority) -- The Assembly and the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) convened for the Authority's ninth session in Kingston today, adopting their agendas for the session, which runs from 28 July to 8 August.