New York, USA — On Monday 24 June 2024, H.E. Ambassador Maurizio Massari, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations in New York, presented his credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) as the Permanent Representative of Italy to ISA.
Ambassador Massari brings over three decades of diplomatic experience, including serving as the Permanent Representative of Italy to the European Union, Special Envoy of the Italian Foreign Minister for the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and Ambassador of Italy to Egypt.
He currently holds several key positions at the UN, including Vice President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and Vice-President of UN Women’s Executive Board.
During the presentation ceremony, Ambassador Massari reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to the mandate and work of ISA, stating: “Italy has steadfastly supported the International Seabed Authority since its inception in 1994. We acknowledge the Authority’s pivotal role in international ocean governance based on UNCLOS, and we commend its leadership in cutting-edge scientific marine research, technological advancement, and environmental standards. Italy looks forward to continuing strong cooperation with the Authority in these crucial areas.”
Secretary-General Michael W. Lodge, welcomed the accreditation of Ambassador Massari by underscoring the steady and ongoing constructive role played by Italy in the work of ISA since it started to operate, thirty years ago. “It is a pleasure to welcome Ambassador Massari in this new role and to acknowledge once more, the support of Italy, to the mandate and work of ISA. We are grateful for the support we received from Italy over the years”, Secretary-General Lodge said.
“I trust that with Ambassador Massari’s extensive experience and diplomatic skills, our collaborative efforts towards the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the sustainable management of seabed resources in the Area will result in positive outcomes for the benefit of all humanity”, Secretary-General Lodge added.
About ISA
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) 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. ISA is committed to the principle that all economic activities in the deep seabed, including deep-seabed mining, must be regulated and responsibly managed using the best available scientific evidence for the benefit of all nations of the world. ISA works to ensure that the voices of all States, including developing States and other stakeholders, are effectively heard in discussions around the sustainable development of the deep seabed.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mr. Philip Janikowski, Communications Specialist, ISA, pjanikowski@isa.org.jm