Application for observer status at International Seabed Authority

To,

The Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority,

International Seabed Authority.

Subject: For application for observer status at International Seabed Authority by Gujarat National

Law University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.

Gandhinagar-382426, Gujarat, INDIA

3. Addresses of all branches and/or regional headquarters- Not Applicable

4. Telephone number- 91- 7923276611/12

5. Fax number- Not available.

6. Email address- vc@gnlu.ac.in; [email protected].in

7. Name, title and contact details of focal point- Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar, Director, Gujarat

National Law University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, email: [email protected].

8. Background information on the organization-

Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) is a statutory university established by the

advance and disseminate learning and knowledge of law and legal processes and their role

in national development: to develop in the students and the research scholars sense of

responsibility to serve society in the field of law by developing skills in regard to advocacy,

legal services, legislation, parliamentary practice, law reforms and such other matters; to

make law and legal processes efficient instruments of social development; and to promote

interdisciplinary study of law in relation to management, technology, international

cooperation and development."

9. Is the organization a member of, affiliated to or otherwise associated with another

organization that has been granted observer status with the Authority? - No.

12. List of publications and/or other relevant documentation

Gujarat National Law University is having developed a rich culture of publications. More

than 500 publication including papers, articles, books and book chapters are there. There

are numerous publications in reputed publication houses and journals. (List is enclosed

with the document with prominent publications as Annexure I for reference).

B. Interest in matters under consideration by the Assembly

extended to the observer status; the University is willing to contribute to the research and

analysis activities of the matters related to seabed mining, proposing suggestions based

upon the research activities and academic activities in the concerned domain. The faculty

and research staff, scholars and the students of Gujarat National Law University can

actively participate in the activities and deliberations of the ISA.

Being a Research Based Teaching University the Gujarat National Law University has

broad spectrum of legal and multidisciplinary research, teaching and extension in relevant

disciplines.

The Government of India is dedicated towards ensuring lasting peace and Security and

Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and is committed towards upgrading the skills of

importance of rule of law in ocean affairs as well as the importance of strengthened

GNLU by virtue of its focus in the field of law and legal research provides teaching and

research infrastructure and capacities which could serve the strategic objectives of good

ocean governance, respect of rule of law in ocean affairs and capacity development. Within

the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the ISA’s Strategic Plan and

High-level Action Plan for 2019-2023, adopted by the Assembly of ISA in 2018 and 2019

respectively, as well as the ISA’s Capacity Development Strategy adopted in 2022, the ISA

Secretariat and GNLU intends to foster activities related to capacity development in the

field of Part XI of UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement as well as other relevant deep-sea

related discipline with direct connection with the mandate and functions of ISA.

After granting of observatory status, GNLU can undertake organization of interactions,

including lectures, studies, projects, dialogues, workshops, conferences, seminars, study

courses, symposia, programmes and publications that support collaborative research,

dialogue among relevant stakeholders and dissemination of information; promote specific

Gujarat National Law University would promote and facilitate research, teaching and other

knowledge building activities promoted by International Seabed Authority such as

Environmental Impact Assessments and activities related to such initiatives through

research, promoting dissemination, exchange and sharing of scientific data and deep-sea

research outputs and increasing deep-sea literacy, policy suggestions for addressing the

issues and needs of Indian industry through research and panel discussions, capacity

building initiative of ISA can be supported through certificate courses in Seabed Mining

14. Briefly outline whether and how the purposes or activities of the organization relate to

issues of Marine Pollution, Marine Biodiversity, Seabed Mining and related aspects of deep

sea mining, ocean governance and laws related to maritime, marine protected areas etc.

The University intends to conduct teaching, training, capacity building activities along with

research activities in the field of maritime. Policy research on Deep Sea Mining, legal

roadmap for exploration and exploitation of Polymetallic nodules in the Indian Ocean,

research projects in the areas like IMO’s Sulphur cap mandate and its implications in

Gujarat, Reviewing multiple Acts related to maritime, conduction of GNLU International

Maritime Academy on the theme of Blue Economy, IUU Fishing and other aspects in

different editions are a few activities in related domains of maritime.

the gender equality and has a Centre for Women and Child Rights and a Gender

Sensitization Committee fully dedicated for such initiative. The university is appreciative

of the S.H.E. (See Her Excel) initiative of ISA.

15. Briefly outline whether and how your organization intends to contribute to the work of

the Authority, for example by providing specialized information, advice or expertise, or by

identifying or helping to procure the services of experts or consultants.

The GNLU by virtue of its focus in the field of law and legal research provides teaching

and research infrastructure and capacities which could serve the strategic objectives of

good ocean governance, respect of rule of law in ocean affairs and capacity development.

GNLU is well connected and respected in different Government bodies, academic

institutions and industries hence the specialized information, advice or expertise, or by

identifying or helping to procure the services of experts or consultants can effectively be

done through GNLU. GNLU also intends to organize certificate courses and introduce

16. Briefly outline whether and how your organization has the expertise and the capacity to

robust research teaching training and extension infrastructure and trained human resources.

The Gujarat National Law University is directly working with Government Departments,

academic institutions and the industry.

The institution is having a rich experience in working with the Government of India’s

Ministry of Earth and Sciences, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice

and other ministries along with different academic and research institutes.

GNLU has signed MoUs with many foreign institutions for student exchange, research and

other co-operative and collaborative programmes such as

 United Nation Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR, Geneva,

Switzerland),

 World Trade Institute (WTI, Bern, Switzerland),

Being situated at the state of Gujarat which is a coastal state with maximum number of

ports in India is also an advantageous position for conducting research related to marine

biodiversity and marine environment (many marine protected areas are situated in Gujarat)

and seabed mining activities.

A list of few activities of the university is enclosed herewith for reference as Annexure II.

17. Briefly outline whether and how your organization intends to contribute to the capacity-

voluntary commitments of the Authority).

With an aim to become a Research Based Teaching University, GNLU has started a variety

of initiatives for faculty, students and research professionals such as research projects,

research publications, group publications, in-house publications, fellowships, student

research development council, collaboration with national & international institutes and

Through the unique Research and Development Cell of Gujarat National Law University

constituted with the Head Research and Development Cell, Research Council and Research

Cadre having 19 Centres of Excellence and 12 Endowed Research Programmes/ Chairs the

university works to promote the interest and reputation of research activities among the

faculty members and students and to ensure that the research activities of the division

support the university's objective to be a research based teaching university, to develop

law of the sea.

Annexure I

List of few publications: