Training programme for Enterprise to be in place by 1991.

The Preparatory Commission for the International SeaBed Authority and for the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, at its spring session (Kingston, 5-30 March), adopted measures to put in place by 1991 the training programme for the future Enterprise-the sea-bed mining arm of the Authority. The Commission had approved the training programme in 1989.

The training programme covering all aspects of sea-bed mining activities-aims to help the Enterprise recruit highly qualified personnel. It will be carried out in close co-operation between registered pioneer investors-so far France, India, japan and the Soviet Union and certifying States on the one hand, and the Commission, on the other.

A 15-member expert panel will be established, representing appropriate fields, to elaborate a training schedule, select trainees from a register, evaluate performance reports, and establish procedures for the programme's administration.

The training panel is to be established within the year, and will match training candidates nominated by member States with offers of traineeships on the part of the registered pioneer investors. Information on relevant training programmes in industrialized countries will be compiled.

In recognition of investments already made in sea-bed mining research, development and exploration, the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea decided, in its resolution 11, to establish a special regime to govern "pioneer activities" by States or entities which would be registered as "pioneer investors" by the Preparatory Commission.

To qualify as a pioneer investor, a State or an enterprise must have spent at least $30 million on seabed activities as of I january 1983. Developing countries-other than India-now have until the entry into force of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to fulfil this condition.

Registered pioneer investors have an exclusive right to explore designated areas of the international sea-bed in the north-east Pacific in the case of France, japan and the Soviet Union, and in the Indian Ocean in the case of India), as well as priority treatment when it comes to authorizing actual seabed mining.

Registration also carries with it certain responsibilities and obligations, including a proposed $1 million annual fee, transfer of technology, and training personnel for the Enterprise. Beyond expectations

Commission Chairman jose Luis jesus of Cape Verde said results achieved at the session had gone beyond his expectations. He reported that the informal plenary had finished the second reading of the draft Headquarters Agreement between the Government of jamaica and the Authority. It had also finished a first reading of the draft Protocol on the Authority's Privileges and Immunities.

Informal consultations on hardcore issues such as the nature and status of observers, the need for subsidiary organs to the Authority's Assembly and the composition, functions and competence of the Authority's Finance Committee, had also been discussed. Substantial progress had been made on the Committee's status, the appointment of its members, the criteria for membership and the Committee's functions. Substantial progress was also reported on implementation of resolution II-which ensures that pioneer investors would receive mining contracts from the Authority. The gap between differing points of view had narrowed considerably, and he hoped that that trend would continue si during the Commission's resumed session (New York, 1331 August), when it will also hold a seminar on the protection of the marine environment. Environment concerns The importance of the protection and preservation of' the environment was highlighted at the session. It was emphasized that the Commission, in its task of overseeing sea-bed activities, should follow closely world-wide developments in that field. Established in 1982, the Commission is to make all arrangements for the proper functioning of the Authority and the Tribunal, which will come into existence following entry into force of the Law of the Sea Convention. As of 1 March 1990, the Convention had received 42 of 60 ratifications or accessions required for its entry into force. Four special commissions * Land-based producer States: Special Commission 1, which is formulating measures to offset possible adverse effects of sea mining on the economies of countries with land-based mining industries, finished the first reading of 66 provisional conclusions, which could form the basis of Preparatory Commission recommendations to the Authority to assist developing land-based producer States who would be affected by sea-bed mining. The body also studied working papers on existing economic measures to assist developing land-based producer States, and on bilateral trade in minerals. No Enterprise: Special Commission 2, which is concerned with preparations for the Enterprise, reviewed a paper on the commercial feasibility of manganese nodule mining in the French pioneer area in the Pacific. It expressed guarded optimism regarding the feasibility of deep sea-bed mining, stating that it was possible that by the end of the century, deep sea-bed mining could be commercially viable. The Special Commission had also been involved in preparations for the training programme. Transitional arrangements for the Enterprise were also discussed. No Mining code: Special Commission 3, on the mining code, is preparing rules, regulations and procedures for exploring and exploiting the international sea-bed area. It made a preliminary reading of draft regulations on protecting the marine environment from deep sea-bed mining activities. Delegations placed great importance on environmental concerns. Two working groups were to be created-to deal with legal and scientific matters, respectively. k Sea Law Tribunal: Special Commission 4 is making all arrangements for the Sea Law Tribunal. For the first time, the Special Commission looked into structure and costs of the Tribunal and agreed on the need for maximum economy and efficiency. The body also discussed issues relating to a relationship agreement between the future Tribunal and the UN, including principles of co-operation, exchange of information and reciprocal representation.