UWI Five Islands commends Honorary Fellow on appointment to head International Seabed Authority

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus recently extended its warm congratulations to Ambassador Dwight Gardiner, an Honorary Fellow at the Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE), following his recent election as President of the 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

A UWI Five Islands media release shared that this significant achievement was announced during the ISA Assembly held in Kingston, Jamaica, from July 21 to 25, 2025.

Ambassador Gardiner, who also serves as Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the ISA, was elected during the Assembly’s proceedings to serve a one-year term at the helm of the organization, said the UWI release.

In this context, UWI acknowledged that his leadership comes at a pivotal time when the ISA faces intricate challenges in fulfilling its mission to safeguard the planet’s oceans and regulate marine resource activities beyond national boundaries.

As President, Gardiner will guide the organization’s strategic direction and advocate for responsible practices in deep-sea mining—a critical issue for many nations.

Founded in 1982, under the auspices of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the ISA oversees mineral exploration and extraction activities in international waters. For Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as the Eastern Caribbean islands, Gardiner’s new role is especially meaningful.

The University posits that these island nations rely heavily on ocean resources for their economic development and are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and rising sea levels.

Commenting on the milestone, Prof. Justin Robinson, Principal of The UWI Five Islands Campus, stated, “Gardiner’s elevation enhances the profile of COBE as a regional Centre of Excellence and underscores The UWI’s position as a leading global university. His extensive experience, coupled with this new leadership role, will strengthen our research and knowledge initiatives related to oceanic challenges, especially as small island states in the Caribbean confront increasing climate and economic pressures.”

Dr. Branson Belle, Executive Director of COBE, expressed pride in Gardiner’s achievement: “We are extremely proud that our honorary fellow, Ambassador Gardiner, has been elected to this leadership role. Deep-sea scientific research is essential for understanding marine life and assessing the impacts of human activity on the ocean’s depths.”

He also highlighted the ongoing collaboration between COBE and the ISA, noting that Gardiner has played a vital role in fostering this partnership.

COBE’s efforts extend beyond research to regional development initiatives, said the release.  It also stated that through its partnership fund with the ISA, the Centre has been instrumental in advancing Caribbean economies via deep-sea exploration.

In November 2024, representatives from CARICOM countries convened at the Five Islands Campus for a workshop aimed at creating a strategic roadmap for Caribbean-focused deep-sea research.