New York, 9 December 2025 — H. E. Mr. Enrique A. Manalo presented his credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), Ms. Leticia Carvalho, as the Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the International Seabed Authority during a ceremony held on 9 December 2025 at the ISA Liaison Office in New York.
Ambassador Manalo is a distinguished career diplomat whose service in the Philippines’ Foreign Service spans over four decades. He previously served as Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 2022 to 2025 and twice held the position of Undersecretary for Policy, advising on the Philippines’ relations with the international community. His extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy includes serving as the Philippines’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Belgium, and various senior postings in Washington, D.C. and within the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Manalo emphasized the Philippines’ longstanding commitment to a rules-based international order grounded in UNCLOS and its implementing agreements, emphasizing that this framework remains essential for governing all ocean activities, including in the Area. He underscored that the forthcoming entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement requires coherence across ocean governance regimes, noting that “ensuring coherence will be essential” and commending the Secretary-General’s efforts in this regard. He further assured the Authority of Philippines’ full support in upholding a balanced approach that protects the marine environment while ensuring the sustainable use of the Area for the benefit of all humankind. He also highlighted Philippines’ role as Coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Group, demonstrating the country’s commitment to promoting equitable participation and consensus-building among developing States, and thereby highlighting the importance of strengthening capacity-building, expanding voluntary trust fund contributions, and ensuring meaningful engagement of non-Council developing States in ISA processes.
Secretary-General Carvalho welcomed Ambassador Manalo’s appointment, noting his “distinguished diplomatic and multilateral experience” and recognizing the Philippines as a principled and bridge-building voice in global ocean governance. She commended the Philippines’ consistent advocacy for a robust regulatory framework grounded in science, transparency and equity, stating that the Philippines’ leadership “meaningfully enriches our shared mission to guide the course of a healthy and prosperous ocean, and a robust and sustainable blue economy.” She expressed appreciation for the Philippines’ longstanding contributions to the Authority and its commitment to inclusive, rules-based multilateralism.
Both the Secretary-General and the Ambassador emphasized opportunities to deepen cooperation in ensuring alignment between the ISA’s mandate and broader developments in the law of the sea, including the emerging BBNJ regime.
About ISA
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 ensuring that all economic activities in the deep seabed, including mining, are regulated and responsibly managed using the best available scientific evidence for the benefit of all humankind.
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ISA Communications Unit, news@isa.org.jm
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