Workshop on the Development of A Regional Environmental Management Plan for the Area of the Indian Ocean Successfully Convened

On April 27, the Workshop on the development of a Regional Environmental Management Plan for the Area of the Indian Ocean (REMP) was successfully convened in Qingdao, which was hosted by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), guided by the China Deep Ocean Affairs Administration, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and organized by the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), MNR. It attracted 34 experts from 22 countries and half of them were from developing countries. The five-day workshop will focus on discussing environmental governance issues in the international seabed areas of the Indian Ocean Ridge and the Central Indian Ocean Basin, jointly exploring sustainable development approaches that balance future deep-sea mineral resource exploitation with environmental protection.

REMP serves as a key initiative by ISA to balance resource development and environment protection and an important prerequisite for transitioning from the exploration to the exploitation phase of international seabed mineral resources. According to ISA's strategic plan, priority areas for REMP development include the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the eastern Pacific Ocean, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the North Atlantic, the Northwest Pacific region, and the Indian Ocean Ridge and Central Indian Ocean Basin. Currently, the CCZ implemented its REMP in 2012, while the North Atlantic and Northwest Pacific have completed the technical phase of REMP development. Currently, the Indian Ocean is set to become the final priority region for ISA's REMP formulation.

The workshop marks the second one jointly organized by China and ISA after the Workshop on REMP for the Area of the West Pacific in 2018. China, as a significant participant of deep sea governance and development, has consistently upheld the vision of a maritime community with a shared future, supported multilateralism and been committed to promoting a consultative, cooperative, and shared governance system. Through sustained deep-sea scientific research, China has continuously enhanced its understanding of deep-sea ecosystems while exploring sustainable development pathways that balance resource exploitation with ecological conservation. With a constructive approach, China has engaged in the international deep-sea governance process, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to global marine environmental governance. Furthermore, China has always advocated for science-based deep-sea governance, calling on the international community to deepen systematic knowledge of the deep ocean through practical cooperation. By coordinating deep-sea conservation and sustainable utilization, China strives to foster a harmonious coexistence between humanity and the ocean, building a better future for all. This workshop demonstrates China's consistent commitment to fulfilling international responsibilities and advancing a fair and equitable international seabed governance order. It represents another practical contribution to the realization of a maritime community with a shared future.