Johnson Smith expresses concern over ISA funding
MINISTER OF Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith has stated that the viability of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) could be under threat as lack of resources leaves the body hardpressed to fulfil its mandate.
Specifically, Johnson Smith expressed concern about the state of the Voluntary Trust Fund, which could be exhausted as soon as 2018.
“This presents a clear danger to the representation of developing countries in the Legal and Technical Commission, as well as in the Finance Committee,” said Johnson Smith during her presentation to the 23rd session of the ISA regarding the report of the secretary-general on Wednesday.
The Voluntary Trust Fund was established in 2002 to help members of the authority, from developing countries, to participate fully in the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission and the Finance Committee. It is funded by members of the authority and others.
“Should this become a reality, we are all agreed that the work of these organs will be impaired. Adequate financing of the authority also impacts its ability to undertake capacity building in member states, through workshops and internships of which small island developing states, such as Jamaica, are the primary beneficiaries,”
added Johnson Smith.