The first online interactive course will be held soon. Please check the following course information and arrange relevant matters in advance according to the requirements of the trainer. 

Before the meeting, we will send the trainees a link to the online meeting. Please check it.

Time: 19 :30 Beijing Time (11:30AM GMT) on 28 April 2022

Trainer: Dr. Lily Xiangxin Xu, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Trainees need to read the material and research the listed questions as follows and prepare the answers to the questions before 28 April 2022. During the workshop, each trainee has a maximum of 2 minutes to present one question. Dr. Xu provides a proposal indicating the trainee to focus on, but not limited to, a specific question (e.g., trainee A focuses on question 1).

Please read and consider the four questions. In class, the lecturer will invite the trainees to express their personal views and organize discussions on these four questions.

A developing State A plans to generally search polymetallic manganese nodule deposit in Block W in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the North Pacific (the area beyond national jurisdiction). One-third of the area in Block W is within the exploration contract area for polymetallic nodules signed by the International Seabed Authority and an entity Z sponsored by State B.

State A decided to apply for the plan of work for exploration in Block W after the survey. The International Seabed Authority approves the plan of work. 

1. What is the legal status and legal nature of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone? ( Answered by Akinyemi Olowookere)

2. How can State A survey polymetallic manganese nodule deposits in Block W? Should State A conduct survey in the form of marine scientific research or prospecting? What are the procedures for the two methods?  ( Answered by Gangabadage Mekhala Rathnamali and Vianey Cabello)

3. Is State A allowed to search polymetallic manganese nodules in the area overlapped with the exploration area of entity B? Why?  ( Answered by Joel Olayide Amosun)

4. How many kinds of ways the State A can choose to apply for approval of the plan of work for exploration in Block W? What are they? What are the pros and cons for each way?  ( Answered by Bacchiocchi Jarabi and Binh Thanh Nguyen)

Introduction to the lecturer:

A Brief Bio of XU Xiangxin (Lily)

Dr. XU Xiangxin (Lily) holds a research position at the Center for Polar and Deep Ocean Development, KoGuan School of Law, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). She obtained her PhD from the University of Kiel, Germany. Her specialty is on legal issues regarding deep seabed mining and she has publications in the relevant areas. Her recent monograph includes “Responsibility to Ensure: Sponsoring States’ Environmental Legislation for Deep Seabed Mining and China’s Practice”.

She has experience as an intern at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and involved in several research programs convened by stakeholders (such as the ISA observer, Pew Charitable Trusts and Chinese contractor, COMRA). She also worked as an intern and Temporary Legal Assistant for Case No.26 and Case No.27 at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).