Tonga sat for the first time this year on a 33-member Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) after being elected last year for a four-year term.

The council is the executive arm of ISA that held its 21^st Session in Kingston, Jamaica from July 13-24.

The annual meeting of state parties that discussed issues related to the exploration and exploitation of seabed minerals. Tonga's delegation was led by HE Mahe Tupouniua Tonga’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations; with Dr Suka Mangisi, Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN; Taaniela Kula, Deputy CEO for Lands and Natural Resources; and Rose Kautoke, counsel from the Attorney General’s Office.

Tonga has also been appointed by ISA member states of the Asia Pacific Group to be coordinator of the members on ISA issues from 2015-16.

The autonomous body of the UN has 167 members, and deals specifically with the administration and regulation of activities in the  seabed beyond national jurisdiction.

Tonga is a state member of ISA by its membership to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).