The UWI Five Islands Campus congratulates Ambassador Dwight Gardiner, honorary fellow at the Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE) at The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus on his election as president of the 30th Session of the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Ambassador Gardiner who serves as the Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the ISA was elected during 30th Session of the Assembly in Kingston, Jamaica this week.
Gardiner was chosen for the one-year term during the ISA Assembly meeting which is taking place from July 21-25. His election comes as the ISA faces complex challenges related to its mandate of protecting the world’s oceans and marine resources. As president, Gardiner will oversee the general direction of the institution and work to ensure countries adhere to principles of responsible deep-sea mining. The organization, established in 1982 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, regulates mineral-related activities in international waters beyond national jurisdictions. For Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Antigua and Barbuda, Gardiner’s election holds particular significance as these islands depend heavily on ocean resources for economic survival while facing unique vulnerabilities from climate change and rising sea levels.
Campus Principal of The UWI Five Islands Campus, Prof. Justin Robinson, said Gardiner’s elevation helps position COBE as a regional Centre of Excellence, further propelling The UWI as a world-class university. “Ambassador Gardiner’s years of vast experience coupled with this new role is important as he is now even better positioned to assist in the knowledge and research agenda of COBE in the areas related to our ocean spaces especially as small island states like those of the Caribbean are facing more climate and economic challenges,” he noted.
Executive Director of COBE Dr. Branson Belle noted: “We are extremely proud that our honorary fellow, Ambassador Gardiner has been elected to this leadership role. Deep-sea scientific research is a key prerequisite to understanding life and the impacts of human activity on the abyss”. He noted the work between COBE, and the ISA has been ongoing and Amb. Gardiner has been instrumental in this collaboration.
The Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and Blue Economy has been advancing regional discussions through its partnership fund with the ISA focused on developing Caribbean economies through deep-sea research. In November 2024, representatives from each CARICOM country gathered at the Five Islands campus for a workshop to develop a roadmap for Caribbean-focused deep-sea research.
