10:00-10:40  Prof. Kim Juniper: Deep-Sea Mining, Deep-Sea Ecosystems and Deep-Sea Genetic Resources

10:40-11:20  Prof. Kening Zhang: Development of a Legal Regime of International Seabed Mining: 22 Years of the International Seabed Authority and Beyond

11:20-12:00  Discussion

12:00-13:30  Lunch

Speakers:

Dr. Kim Juniper has been a Professor in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences and the Department of Biology at the University of Victoria, and holder of the British Columbia Leadership Chair in Ocean Ecosystems and Global Change since 2006. He came to the University of Victoria from the Université du Québec à Montréal where he was Professor of Biology and Director of the GEOTOP Research Centre. He received his BSc from the University of Alberta (1976) and a PhD from Canterbury University in Christchurch, New Zealand (1982).

The primary focus of his research is the biogeochemistry and ecology of submarine hydrothermal systems. His interdisciplinary publications on deep-sea vents encompass the fields of microbial ecology, biomineralization and benthic ecology. Other research areas have included the microbial ecology of deep-sea sediments, and the seasonal dynamics of arctic sea-ice microbial communities.

Juniper previously served the NEPTUNE Canada project as Co-Chief Scientist in 2004-2006, and was President of the Canadian Scientific Submersible Facility from 2001 to 2011. He previously served as Associate Director of Science for NEPTUNE Canada and Director, User Engagement for Ocean Networks Canada previous to his current role.

Dr. Kening Zhang is currently Professor of Law at the South China Sea Institute and Director of Centre for Oceans Policy and Law, Xiamen University, China. He is also member on the United Nations Committee against Torture (CAT). He was formerly Legal Advisor to the Department of Treaty and Law, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, and Principal Legal Officer and Interim Director-General of the Enterprise with the International Seabed Authority (the ISA), headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica. He had been involved in the establishment of legal regime of deep seabed mining and general legal works of the ISA ever since 1997 when he joined the organization. He served as Secretary to the Council and Assembly of the ISA which adopted respectively in 2010 Regulations on Prospecting and Exploration for Polymetallic Sulphides in the Area, and in 2012 Regulations on Prospecting and Exploration for Cobalt-Rich Ferromanganese Nodules in the Area, after intensive negotiations, following the adoption in 2000 of Regulations on Prospecting and Exploration for Polymetallic Nodules in the Area. He also handled general legal frameworks for the Secretariat. In 2010 he joined other members of the team of the ISA to present written and oral statements before the Seabed Disputes Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for an advisory opinion by the Chamber on responsibility and liability of a sponsoring State with regard to activities in the Area (Case No. 17).