The World Maritime University (WMU) and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their mutual cooperation with a view, among other things, to advance achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 on oceans. According to WMU press release, the focus is on improving education and capacity building initiatives in marine science.
In signing the MoU, Mr. Michael Lodge, ISA Secretary-General, highlighted that ISA is committed to strengthening the research and analytical capacities of developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“An essential part of ISA’s mission is to promote and encourage the conduct of marine scientific research in the international deep seabed area, and especially to facilitate effective participation by developing states in deep sea exploration and research programmes,” said Mr. Lodge.
“This partnership with WMU pools together our collective resources and expertise to support Member States, especially SIDS to chart this future together,” he added.
Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU, said “WMU is committed to post-graduate education, research and capacity building in the maritime and ocean fields that support the achievement of the UN SDGs, including Goals 4 on education and Goal 14 on the ocean. WMU is committed to supporting developing countries to implement the relevant UNSDGs. We look forward to collaborating with the International Seabed Authority in protecting and restoring one of humanity’s most precious resources.”
Under the MoU, both organizations have agreed to develop collaborative research in the fields of ocean sustainability, ocean governance, SDG implementation for the oceans, deepening understanding of the ecosystem functions and services of the international deep seabed area, and the science-law-policy interface.
Both parties will also foster research, training opportunities and other capacity-building initiatives and co-operate in the conduct of studies and in the delivery of conferences, seminars, workshops and joint publications on matters of common interest.