Co-submitters are any delegates who have either participated in the construction of this resolution (e.g. merging, contributing clauses) or alternatively have signed that they would like to see this resolution debated in committee.

FORUM: Ecology and Environment
QUESTION OF: Deep Sea Mining
SUBMITTED BY: Greece
CO-SUBMITTERS:, Albania, Algeria, Brazil, Canada, Iraq, Italy, Kenya, Somalia, South Africa

THE ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMISION

Concerned by the potential environmental impact of deep-sea mining, including the disruption of fragile marine ecosystems, loss of biodiversity, and irreversible damage to unique deep-ocean habitats,

Reaffirming the principles in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which underscores the need for responsible stewardship of the oceans and their resources, and the obligation of states to ensure that their activities do not harm the marine environment,

Determined to promote the long-term health of our planet’s oceans, and to ensure that deep-sea mining is conducted in a manner that respects the balance between economic development and environmental conservation,

1.   Requests the creation of a new UN subcommittee, the United Nations Unit for Sustainable Deep Sea Mining, (UNUSDSM) to be in conjunction with the International Seabed Authority (ISA), in keeping with the UNCLOS and any relevant international organisations with the objective of, but not limited to:
a. facilitating negotiations and consultations with nations and other stakeholders on measures to reduce reliance on deep sea mining and mitigate associated risks
b. providing technical and advisory support to Member States on safe and sustainable deep sea mining, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards
c. creating a global, independent body to conduct scientific research and collect data on deep sea ecosystems in conjunction with academic institutions and government agencies, particularly in areas where mining is likely to occur, for the purpose of doing multi phased research issued by the UNUSDSM and creating detailed and comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to guide operations in the right direction to minimize environmental impacts
d. compiling biannual reports to keep up to date with this every changing issue
e. working in conjunction with the World Bank for the provision of any financial and technical aid necessary;
 
2.   Recommends the establishment of robust international frameworks through the ISA to facilitate the transparent, just compromise between such mining agencies and sustaining a healthy deep sea, with the objectives of regulating and monitoring deep sea mining activities, ensuring compliance with environmental standards , addressing transboundary environmental impacts and fostering mutual trust and cooperation among nations, through means of including but not limited to:
a. establising clear liability frameworks for deep sea mining companies, aim to let them know where they have wronged and educate them on their malpractice, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and pollution caused by their operations,
b. establishing frameworks to clarify the legal borders of national territories in the oceans, through the application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), this would involve confirming and respecting Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs)
c. defining shared resources: marine resources that are found in areas outside a single country's jurisdiction, such as deep-sea ecosystems that span multiple national borders or fall under international commons
d. periodic reviews of the frameworks, to be overseen by the UNUSDSM to incorporate technological advancements, lessons learned, and emerging threats, ensuring its effectiveness and relevance to solving the issue at hand;
 
3. Calls upon willing member nations to formally adopt and consistently adhere to the precautionary principle, recognising it as a critical measure to reduce the probibly of irreversible ecological destruction whether it be accidental or preemptive and foster global stability, through efforts including but not limited to:
a. integrating the precautionary principle into existing and new frameworks, such as UNCLOS to reinforce global norms against the exploitation of deep sea mining
b. promoting dialogue and consultations with corporations and the areas of high risk to address security concerns and ensure that the precautionary principle contributes to broader environmental objectives
c. ensuring high risk areas are mapped with the help of the scientific research group.