TANZANIA: IN a landmark achievement, Tanzania has been elected as a member of the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) during the assembly held in August in Kingston, Jamaica.
This is the first time Tanzania has secured a position on this prestigious council, marking a significant milestone in the country’s global engagement in mineral management and resource sustainability.
As a council member, Tanzania will have a crucial role in shaping the robust and sustainable management of deep seabed minerals.
This new role will also provide Tanzania with a platform to promote its land-based mineral opportunities and showcase the myriad investment possibilities within its mineral sector.
Deep seabed minerals are governed by the United Nations under Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement.
The minerals, which are regulated by the ISA, are vital for renewable energy transitions as they contribute to generating electricity with minimal climate change impacts.
They are typically found at depths ranging from 2,000 to 6,000 metres below sea level Tanzania’s delegation to the Kingston meeting included experts from the Ministry of Minerals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation and the DeepSea Fishing Authority.
This representation highlights Tanzania’s dedication to enhancing its role in the global management of these critical resources.
In related news, Minerals Minister Anthony Mavunde reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to strategic mineral investments.
Speaking at the Indonesia-Africa Forum in Bali, Indonesia, Minister Mavunde emphasised that all strategic minerals extracted in Tanzania must undergo value addition within the country. Minister Mavunde praised the favourable investment climate fostered under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership and urged international investors to explore the abundant opportunities in Tanzania’s mineral sector.
He specifically noted the focus on value addition, a mandatory policy aimed at attracting industries involved in producing electric vehicle batteries and other products crucial for global energy transitions
