CABINET HAS approved Jamaica's ratification of the Protocol on Privileges and Immunities of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), formally making Jamaica the headquarters of the ISA.
The ISA has for several years occupied offices at the Jamaica Conference Centre, Duke Street, downtown Kingston, without a formal arrangement in place.
Satya N. Nandan, Secretary-General of the ISA, at the assembly's eight session last month, said both sides had agreed to complete an arrangement as soon as possible.
"The ratification of the protocol is important to Jamaica because the headquarters of the ISA is located here and ...is complementary to the agreement between the ISA and the Government of Jamaica," Information Minister Colin Campbell said on Monday.
He was speaking to journalists at Jamaica House, at the first post-Cabinet press briefing following the four-week summer break. He said ratification signals Jamaica's continued commitment to the work and the institutional strengthening of the ISA.
The main objective of the protocol is to set out the standard and privileges and immunities accorded to an international organisation and to officials of the organisation, regardless of nationality. It will come into force 30 days after the date of the deposit of the 10th Instrument of Ratification or Accession.
It clears the way for the Authority to be provided with a legal personality while protecting its premises, making it inviolable.
Additionally, it provides the guidelines in respect of the privileges and immunities to be accorded representatives of member-states, officials and experts.
Also, it states the mechanisms to be used to settle disputes and refers to the complementary relationship between the headquarters agreement and the protocol with the provision of the headquarters agreement taking effect over the protocol in cases of conflict.
