Key Points:
- Leadership Transition: Leticia Carvalho of Brazil has been elected as the new Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for the 2025-2028 term, succeeding Michael Lodge.
- Environmental Safeguards: Carvalho’s election comes amid rising calls for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, with 32 countries supporting a halt to these activities due to environmental concerns.
- Regulatory Challenges: The ISA concludes its session without a consensus on a regulatory framework for deep-sea mining, raising concerns over potential exploitation license applications.
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has announced the election of Leticia Carvalho of Brazil as its new Secretary General for the period 2025-2028. Carvalho’s election, held during the ISA’s twenty-ninth session, reflects the Member States’ confidence in her leadership to guide the organization through the complex challenges of regulating deep-sea mining.
Leadership Transition
The ISA Secretariat has expressed congratulations to Leticia Carvalho, emphasizing the importance of working together to ensure the deep seabed is regulated and protected for the benefit of all humanity. Carvalho received 79 votes compared to incumbent Michael Lodge’s 34 votes. Lodge, who served the ISA for over 30 years, has been recognized for his transformative leadership in promoting good governance, transparency, and sustainable management of deep-sea mineral resources.
Rising Opposition to Deep-Sea Mining
There is growing international support for a preliminary halt to deep-sea mining, with 32 states, including Tuvalu, Guatemala, Honduras, and France, advocating for a pause. This coalition highlights global concerns about the potential ecological damage from mining activities on the ocean floor.
Despite the pressing need for precious metals like cobalt, nickel, and copper for green technologies, the environmental risks associated with seabed mining have led to calls for caution. The debate on deep-sea mining has intensified, and Carvalho’s leadership will be crucial in balancing economic interests with environmental protection.
Change the World - Subscribe Now
Regulatory Challenges
The ISA concluded its session in Kingston, Jamaica, without reaching a consensus on a regulatory framework for deep-sea mining. This lack of agreement raises concerns that the authority may receive applications for exploitation licenses without having clear rules and regulations in place.
The Metals Company, a Canadian-based mining firm, is widely expected to be the first to apply for a deep-sea mining exploitation license. Mining exploration is already underway in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, a vast environmental management area in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Mexico. This zone covers 1.7 million square miles (4.5 million square kilometers) and includes depths ranging from 13,000 to 19,000 feet (4,000 to 6,000 meters).
“‘The Metals Company are focused on developing a large field of poly-metallic modules that sit on the floor of the Pacific ocean about a thousand miles from the coast of Mexico,” said CEO Gerard Barron.
“This is an industry that can provide mineral independence to countries like the US who are heavily dependent on China for these materials,” he added.
The Role of the ISA
Established in 1994, the International Seabed Authority is an autonomous intergovernmental organization mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to manage the mineral resources of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for the shared benefit of humankind. The ISA is committed to ensuring that all economic activities in the deep seabed, including mining, are regulated and responsibly managed using the best available scientific evidence.
The ISA aims to ensure that the voices of all States, including developing nations and other stakeholders, are effectively heard in discussions around the sustainable development of the deep seabed.
Looking Ahead
Carvalho’s election signals a new direction for the ISA as it navigates the complexities of deep-sea mining regulation. Her leadership will be pivotal in advancing the ISA’s goals of promoting sustainability, transparency, and the responsible use of ocean resources. As the organization works to address the challenges of deep-sea mining, the international community will closely watch Carvalho’s efforts to balance the demands of economic development with the imperative of environmental stewardship.
