Kenya has secured a place on the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for the 2027–2030 term, giving the country a stronger voice in shaping global decisions on ocean governance, marine research and the management of mineral resources found beyond national waters.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei announced that Kenya was elected to the council during the ISA Assembly’s 31st session held in Kingston, Jamaica. He said the election reflected the confidence placed in Kenya by member states and recognised the country’s continued commitment to international maritime cooperation.
“Kenya is honoured to have been elected to the council of the International Seabed Authority for the 2027–2030 term,” Sing’oei said in a statement.
The ISA is an international organisation established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to regulate activities involving mineral resources in areas of the ocean that fall outside national jurisdiction.
The authority currently has 172 members, including 171 states and the European Union, and is responsible for overseeing the exploration and possible exploitation of mineral resources in the international seabed area, which is considered the common heritage of humankind.
Sing’oei said Kenya’s membership on the council would allow the country to contribute to the promotion of responsible ocean management, sustainable use of marine resources and the advancement of scientific research.
“Kenya will remain committed to ensuring that the outcomes of the Nairobi Sustainable Blue Economy Conference and the Mombasa Eleventh Our Ocean Conference are implemented in close partnership with ISA members, and in line with UNCLOS mandate,” he stated.
The PS said Kenya would use its position to support an equitable and inclusive approach to protecting and managing the world’s oceans.
The election also builds on Kenya’s growing role in global discussions on the blue economy. The country hosted the Nairobi Sustainable Blue Economy Conference and later the Mombasa Eleventh Our Ocean Conference, which was the first edition of the global forum to be held in Africa.
The ISA Council is one of the authority’s key organs and is responsible for developing policies and regulations governing activities in the international seabed area. It also considers rules related to the exploration and exploitation of minerals found in deep ocean regions.
Kenya’s four-year term will place it among countries involved in discussions that will shape the future regulation of seabed activities at a time when nations continue negotiating frameworks for balancing resource use with environmental protection.
The election was conducted under Article 161(3) of UNCLOS, which provides for the selection of council members to serve four-year terms.
Through the new role, Kenya is expected to advance its maritime interests while contributing to international efforts aimed at ensuring sustainable use and protection of ocean resources.