Established in 1994 in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1994 Agreement, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) directs deep-sea mining activities in international waters. In particular, the committee oversees mineral-related activities on the seabed beyond national jurisdiction in a manner that ensures equitable sharing of benefits while protecting the marine environment from the effects of resource exploration and exploitation.
This committee welcomes both beginner and experienced delegates. Although strongly encouraged and required for an award, position papers are not mandatory. Those who wish to be considered for awards must submit their position papers by January 22, 2027, at 23:59 PST. More information about position papers can be found in the Position Paper Guide, on the Delegate Resources Page.
Topic A: Underwater Resources Extraction (Click to show summary)
The ocean is one of humanity’s greatest resource providers, from oil and natural gas to fish and shellfish. Governance of “the Area”, defined as the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond national jurisdiction, is entrusted to the International Seabed Authority. Overall, it covers 54% of the ocean. The deep seabed is home to mineral formations that hold enormous potential, described as a “20 trillion dollar opportunity”. However, deep-sea mining may pose serious environmental consequences. To date, commercial deep-sea mining has not commenced. It is up to the ISA to decide whether the international community should proceed, pause, or stop deep-sea mining.
Topic B: Protection of Underwater Heritage Sites (Click to show summary)
Some of the world’s most valuable archaeological sites lie underwater. For millennia, humans lived near bodies of water and traveled across waterways. Shipwrecks from eons past can provide historians with a glimpse into the past. Low oxygen levels, stable temperatures and protective sediments preserve underwater sites much better than their counterparts on land, and their difficulty of access keeps them untouched from treasure hunters and other disturbances. However, as the humans continue to exploit the ocean for its resources, underwater heritage sites become at risk to erosion and damage. The ISA must act now to preserve the artifacts of the past for future generations.
Ethan Li | Director
Entering his Grade 10 at St. George’s School, Ethan is honored to be serving as the Director of the International Seabed Authority at VMUN 2027. In his first overnight conference, Ethan represented Tanzania in the World Health Organization at VMUN 2024. Now, the Hyatt holds precious memories of past years; including the spot where he spilled a water cup on his delegate handbook. When he is not trying to hang on to a reasonable sleep schedule at a conference, Ethan can be found designing his next VEX robot in Onshape, cheering on the Racing Bulls and Cadillac in F1, and walking around Vancouver with his Canon EOS 550D, chasing the perfect shot. He looks forward to meeting everyone at VMUN 2027, whether you are a veteran or a newer delegate!
Jasreen Kaur Johal | Chair
As a Grade 12 student at Aldergrove Community Secondary School, Jasreen is excited to be serving as the Chair of ISA at VMUN 2027. Having begun her MUN journey in Grade 6 with a budding curiosity, Jasreen soon discovered her affinity for the world of diplomacy, debate, and the elusive art of drafting the perfect resolution. From founding her school’s MUN club to leading its maiden voyage to VMUN, she traded nervous first speeches for passionate discussions and far too many late night edits. Beyond rooms filled with placards, Jasreen can be found chasing finish lines on trails, tracks and half-marathon routes, attempting to learn the names of flowers she comes across, and scouting dark sky regions with mixed successes. She wishes all delegates the best in their preparations and looks forward to facilitating a weekend of spirited discourse and new perspectives.
Yuvakshi Kapoor | Assistant Director
Entering Grade 10 at Southpointe Academy, Yuvakshi is excited to serve as an assistant director at VMUN 2027. Her Model United Nations journey began in Grade 8, when she nervously walked into her first committee room with little idea what she was getting herself into. Since then, MUN has brought her heated debates, unexpected friendships, and the slightly less glamorous experience of accidentally taking down a projector. Somewhere along the way, she became far more invested in committee chaos than expected, and even more attached to the people and memories that come with it. Outside of MUN, Yuvakshi enjoys swimming, teaching younger swimmers, reading, and watching movies. She is excited to step into her first year on staff, meet this year’s delegates, and create memories.
You can contact the Director at isa@vmun.com. Any questions regarding the committee or its debate procedures will be answered by email. Position papers must also be submitted to this address.