Vira Atalifo SOPAC Division, SPC Workshop Outline – Objectives, Attendance, Outcomes and Feedback

Workshop Participants

The following 15 member countries of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) were represented:  Cook Islands  Federated States of Micronesia  Fiji  France  Kiribati  Marshall Islands  Nauru  Niue  Papua New Guinea  Samoa  Solomon Islands  Tonga  Tuvalu  United States and Vanuatu The following Governments also sent representatives:  South Korea  Peoples Republic of China and  Timor Leste (a beneficiary of the DSM Project by request of the European Union)

Workshop Participants  International, Regional and National Agencies represented were:  Commonwealth Secretariat  Duke University  European Union  IFM-GEOMAR  International Seabed Authority  International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)  Korea Ocean Research & Development Institute (KORDI)  National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA)  Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS)  Pennsylvania State University  Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)  UNEP/GRID-Arendal  United States Geological Survey (USGS)  and World Bank

Workshop Participants  The following private sector and civil society entities were represented:  Anindilyakwa Land Council  BECA International Limited  Centre for Environmental Law and Community Rights Inc  Eco-Strategic Consultants  Envi-Green Pacific Consultancy Limited  Fiji Environmental Law Association  GeoPacific Limited  Greenpeace Australia Pacific  Kontiki Capital  Minerals Policy Institute  MUSKITS Law  Nauru Ocean Resources Inc (NORI)  Nautilus Minerals Inc and North-South Environmental Law and  World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

Workshop Objectives Captures the significance of deep sea mineral for the region and the need for in-depth information sharing on this new industry; Experts to talk on a broad range of issues related to deep sea minerals and mining; Stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities, needs and priorities and agree on a number of broad outcomes for the way forward.

DSM Project Communication and Visibility Press release prepared and issued in February to media outlets in the region – “Regional Project to Promote Mineral Wealth” Pacific Reach Limited contracted in May - Media works (prepare and disseminate press releases, TV and radio interviews, media liaison) prior to, during, and soon after the project inception workshop. Two news articles published leading up to the workshop - led to expression of interest from various stakeholders in attending the workshop.

DSM Project Communication and Visibility All project meetings and important activities will be released through the media, also highlighting the financial support of the EU. Fig 1 & 2:Samples of DSM Project press releases within and outside the region

Specific Purposes of Workshop Present the SPC-EU Deep Sea Minerals (DSM) Project together with the current status of marine minerals exploration and mining in the region; Provide representatives of participating countries with relevant information on various aspects of deep sea minerals; Highlight deep sea minerals potential in the region and promote information sharing;

Encourage countries and stakeholders to share their experiences and concerns as well as their expectation of the Project; Stimulate discussions among stakeholders, and experts are expected to provide appropriate advice and guidance during the discussions; Disseminate DSM Project Information Brochures and other relevant information to stakeholders; Specific Purposes of Workshop

Discuss collaborative opportunities with potential partners; Identify challenges / needs / priorities with recommended approaches / strategies. Consider feedbacks from stakeholders to improve task implementation and stakeholder participation; Collective agreement on some broad outcomes for the way forward in the next four years

DSM Project Steering Committee Meeting Held on Wednesday evening 8 th June 2011 at Tanoa Oversee and validate the overall direction and policy of the project and keep track of the implementation of project activities Representatives of participating countries, the DSM Team, a representative from the EU Delegation and the Secretary General of the PIFS as the Regional Authorising Officer Next meeting October 2011, back to back with STAR/Heads of Geoscience Meeting

Workshop Outcomes Workshop participants’ discussions and suggestions are synthesized into the following 18 outcomes:  (1) Regional Approach: A regional approach to regulate the DSM sector and address seabed mining and related issues.  (2) Capacity Building: A great need for capacity building in all aspects of DSM and the priority areas have been identified.  (3) Technology Development and Transfer: Encourage and support long-term technology development and transfer through partnership and participation.

(4) Maritime Boundary and Trans- boundary Challenges: Maritime boundary issues and trans-boundary challenges need to be addressed in accordance with UNCLOS. (5) Benefit Sharing: Sharing of benefits derived from mining projects is a concern hence mechanisms for equitable sharing of financial and other benefits are proposed. (6) Data & Information: Collation of existing DSM data and information and the establishment of a regional database are crucial to understanding the state of knowledge. Workshop Outcomes

(7) Marine Scientific Research: MSR needs to be encouraged and promoted in the region through relevant initiatives in accordance with LOSC. (8) Community Concerns and Stakeholder Consultation: Inclusive and ongoing consultations must be encouraged together with community engagement and participation. (9) Environment Protection Guidelines: Suggested guidelines that support environment protection have been identified and regional and national environment frameworks must conform to existing international and regional mechanisms.

(10) Environment Conservation and Monitoring: Need to balance exploitation and conservation, and protect and conserve marine biodiversity in accordance with the precautionary approach concept and LOSC. (11) Information Sharing and Outreach: Information sharing is an integral part of a regional approach and transparency in ensuring stakeholders are better informed through various awareness programs. (12) Fisheries: Perceived impacts on fishery resources are a concern hence the application of precautionary integrated approach to ocean resources management is crucial. Workshop Outcomes

(13) Resource Assessment: Systematic and detailed seabed mineral assessments are required to better understand mineral potential in the region. (14) Mining Technical Information: Mining technical terms and processes need to be presented/explained in simple terms to stakeholders. (15) Legal Frameworks: Development of regional and national frameworks needs to apply an adaptive approach as well as to ensure they are harmonised with international and regional treaties and conventions. Workshop Outcomes

(16) Fiscal Regime: Countries must avoid reinventing the wheel and consider existing fiscal regimes in mining and other extractive industries, and tax instruments should be flexible and regionally harmonized. (17) Sustainable Economics: DSM deposits are finite hence the need to balance economic imperative with the precautionary approach to optimise revenue streams and long-term sustainable benefits. (18) Governance and Transparency : Proposed transparency mechanisms include the adoption of the “Norwegian Model” and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) for managing offshore mining revenues and benefits.

Workshop Feedback:-

Suggestions for Improvement Include:- Provide time for PIC’s reps to meet and jointly develop their talks based on pressing issues in their respective countries Sessions to be organized so that presentations on similar topics are to be discussed jointly As a single workshop, it was excellent but need to maintain momentum by following-up with smaller groups or countries Capture what has been gained from this workshop and shape the next one to the most identified important areas

Provide more information on the science and biology of DSM Timely disseminate reports and new R & D information to stakeholders at all levels Include community participation at separate meetings or sessions with the inclusion of FFA &/or fisheries officials, similar for tourism and other marine use sectors. Suggestions for Improvement Include:-

Ma Tubwa Owak and Vinaka Vakalevu