Fiji, July 30 -- The Republic of Naoero has reaffirmed its call for fair, transparent and workable seabed governance after the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council approved a five-year extension of Nauru Ocean Resources Inc.'s (NORI) deep-sea exploration contract.

Naoero participated in the second part of the 31st session of the ISA Council in Kingston, led by Ambassador David Aingimea.

During the meeting, Ambassador Aingimea addressed ongoing legal matters before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), saying Naoero's priority is to protect its role as a sponsoring State while ensuring seabed governance remains fair, transparent and workable for all countries, particularly small island developing States.

The...