Priority on strengthening the ISA’s operational capacity and enhancing transparency

Durrant Pate/Contributor

Brazilian Oceanographer Leticia Carvalho has officially assumed the role of Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), based in Jamaica and the first female to do so.

This marks a pivotal moment in the organization’s history as Carvalho’s election is groundbreaking in that she is the first woman, the first Latin American and the first oceanographer to lead the ISA, which is the only United Nations organ headquartered in Jamaica.  

Carvalho’s tenure, which started on January 1 coincides with the ISA’s 30^th anniversary and ushers in a new era for organization, as it continues its mission to govern the seabed beyond national jurisdiction as the common heritage of humankind.

With a distinguished background in oceanography, Carvalho brings decades of expertise in science-based decision-making, multilateral negotiations and regulatory leadership. She previously led the United Nations Environment Programme Marine and Freshwater Branch. 

She also held senior positions in the Ministry of the Environment of Brazil, where she championed ecosystem-based management and marine resource policies.

Establishing a balanced regulatory framework

In her inaugural remarks, Carvalho highlighted the ISA’s ongoing efforts to establish a balanced regulatory framework for seabed mineral resource exploitation, as mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement. 

While acknowledging the progress made, she cited the need to address gaps in the draft Mining Code and advance scientific understanding to create a robust, sustainable and science-based regulatory regime that upholds the highest environmental and ethical standards.

As the ISA enters its 30^th year, Carvalho emphasized the importance of adapting to global challenges and aligning with emerging governance frameworks. She specifically referenced the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, which intersect with the ISA’s work and set ambitious goals for biodiversity protection and sustainable resource use.

While recognizing the significant challenges posed by the largely unexplored deep seabed, Carvalho stressed the necessity of scientific discovery to guide sustainable decision-making. “As we progress, we must confront tough questions about how to extract value from the deep seabed without compromising its ecological balance,” she remarked. 

Continuing she said, “we must learn from past mistakes that have depleted ecosystems and disadvantaged communities. How can we chart a true course to best regulatory practices that ensure standards, thresholds, guidelines and equitable benefit-sharing? And how can we access, undertake and leverage the best possible science in service of the ISA’s work?”

First 100 days in office

In her first 100 days, Carvalho committed to engaging deeply with Member States and stakeholders to build consensus on the ISA’s priorities and chart a clear path forward. Carvalho plans to prioritize strengthening the ISA’s operational capacity, enhancing transparency and fostering synergies with international partners. 

She reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that the ISA’s mechanisms remain robust, proactive and responsive to evolving global needs.

Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, Carvalho called for open dialogue with indigenous peoples, industry leaders, ISA contractors, local communities, Member States, NGOs, policymakers, scientists, and youth. “Collaboration is key to our success,” she emphasized noting, “we must listen to diverse voices to ensure the ISA remains a model of transparency, multilateral cooperation and science-driven governance.”

Commitment to four core objectives

Carvalho emphasized the ISA’s pivotal role in managing the deep seabed beyond national jurisdiction, which spans over 54 per cent of the planet’s surface. She invoked the vision of Arvid Pardo, who famously described the deep ocean as “the womb of life,” to highlight the ISA’s profound responsibility to manage seabed mineral resources responsibly while protecting its fragile environment.

Carvalho reaffirmed her commitment to four core objectives central to ISA’s work:

• Sustainable resource management: ensuring seabed activities are organized and overseen responsibly for the benefit of all
• Environmental protection: safeguarding the delicate ecosystems of the deep ocean
• Scientific advancement: promoting marine scientific research and ensuring the dissemination of knowledge
• Equitable benefit-sharing: guaranteeing the fair distribution of benefits derived from seabed resources.

She stressed, “These objectives are not just pillars of our work; they are commitments to ensure that the seabed is managed sustainably, responsibly and equitably based on a fair mechanism of benefit-sharing and in alignment with the highest standards of scientific and environmental excellence, ensuring the seabed’s potential is realized without compromising its vital ecosystems.”

Carvalho expressed profound gratitude to Member States for their trust, her home country of Brazil and the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States for their unwavering support, and to ISA staff for their dedication to advancing the organization’s mission. 

She also acknowledged Jamaica, the ISA’s host country since its establishment in 1994, for its steadfast partnership and support.

“This is a new era for the ISA—one defined by collaboration, effectiveness, equity, inclusiveness, transparency, accountability and sustainability,” Carvalho stated.