FRONT MATTER.PMD - International Seabed Authority

392 Chronology
decisions concerning the registered pioneer investors, including the training to be
provided by them. Discussion of future administrative and budgetary arrangements
for the Authority.
1996—Second session, Kingston, Jamaica (Part I, 11-22 March, Part II, 5-16
August). Assembly elects the first Council of the Authority. Mr. Satya N. Nandan
(Fiji) elected as the first Secretary-General of the Authority. Assembly elects
Finance Committee. Council elects Legal and Technical Commission. Council
adopts its rules of procedure. Authority granted observer status by General Assembly
of the United Nations (resolution 51/6 of 4 November 1996).
1997—Third session, Kingston, Jamaica (Part I, 17-28 March, Part II, 18-29
August). Approval by the Assembly of the Agreement concerning the relationship
between the United Nations and the Authority. Consideration of draft
Headquarters Agreement between the Authority and the Government of Jamaica.
Consideration by the Assembly of the first annual report of the Secretary-General
submitted under article 166, paragraph 4, of the Convention. Legal and
Technical Commission begins work on draft Regulations on Prospecting and
Exploration for Polymetallic Nodules in the Area. Council decides to extend
the provisional membership of Belarus, Belgium, Chile, Gabon, the Lao People’s
Democratic Republic, Mozambique, Qatar, Solomon Islands, South Africa,
Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the European Union for a period of two
years from 16 November 1996 and to extend the provisional membership of the
Russian Federation, Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland for a period of one year from 16 November 1996. Requests for
approval of plans of work for exploration submitted by the seven registered
pioneer investors in accordance with paragraph 6(a)(ii) of section 1 of the annex
to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI of the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 (19 August
1997). On 28 August 1997 such plans of work are considered by the Council
to be approved (ISBA/3/C/9). Assembly adopts 1998 budget and scale of
assessments.
1998—Fourth session held in three parts. Parts I and II, 16-27 March, 9-27
August, Kingston, Jamaica, Part III, 12-13 October, New York. Assembly elects
one-half of the members of the Council for a four-year term from 1 January
1999. The terms of office of members of the Council and other organs of the
Authority are harmonized with the calendar year. Assembly adopts the Protocol
on Privileges and Immunities of the International Seabed Authority. Legal and
Technical Commission completes work on the draft Regulations on Prospecting
and Exploration for Polymetallic Nodules in the Area and submits the text to
the Council for consideration. Provisional membership ceases, for all States,
on 16 November 1998.
1999—Fifth session, Kingston, Jamaica, 9-27 August. Assembly approves the
Headquarters Agreement between the International Seabed Authority and the
Government of Jamaica. Council adopts the Financial Regulations of the Author-