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Webinar on Deep-Seabed Mining: Legal Challenges and Geostrategic Competition

Hainan

Institute for China-Europe Studies (ICES) and the Institute for China-America Studies (ICAS) are jointly organizing the webinar

Deep-Seabed Mining: Legal Challenges and Geostrategic Competition

Date: June 10th, 2025

Time: 15:00–16:30 CET (09:00–10:30 EST, 21:00–22:30 BJT, 14:00–15:30 BST)

Location: Zoom (registration is mandatory)

Deep-seabed mining has emerged as a pressing global issue at the intersection of international law, ocean governance, geopolitics and environmental conservation. Its growing relevance stems partially from the recent U.S. executive order under the Trump administration authorizing the American government to issue licenses for mining in theinternational seabed area, which is taken as common heritage of mankind under international law and governed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This development constitutes a challenge to the current international legal regime governing the oceans and underlines the renewed greater interest from major powers, including Europe, China and the U.S.

As competition intensifies over the mineral-rich ocean floor, questions of legal frameworks, environmental risks and strategic resource access have come to the forefront. The webinar discussion will cover a range of pressing topics, including the international ocean governance regime at stake, intensifying geopolitical and geoeconomic competition, as well as its implications for the marine environment.

The webinar will feature a diverse panel of experts, including:

  • Ms. Marie BOURREL-MCKINNON, Former Chief of Staff & Head of Strategic Planning Unit, International Seabed Authority (ISA)
  • Mr. Sourabh GUPTA, Senior Fellow, Institute for China-America Studies (ICAS)
  • Mr. Dan ZHANG, Researcher, China Institute for Marine Affairs (CIMA)
  • Dr. Edwin EGEDE, Professor of International Law & International Relations, Cardiff University

    • The opening remarks will be delivered by Dr. Nong HONG Executive Director of ICAS. Mr. Li YANG, Executive Director of ICES, will moderate the discussion.

    To virtually join us for this exciting conversation, please sign up via the QR code or the following registration link:

    https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Xe5zkPosRbeY4gqzLQgCuA#/registration

    Institute for China-Europe Studies｜中欧关系研究中心 Rond-Point Schuman 6,1040 Brussels｜https://ices-eu.org｜+32 (02) 234 63 97