Kingston, Jamaica (16 September 2026) – Her Excellency Ms. Sarah Gasquard presented her credentials as the new Permanent Representative of Belgium to the International Seabed Authority on Wednesday, 16 September.
Madam Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho welcomed her to ISA Headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica. Ambassador Gasquard has extensive diplomatic experience across Asia, Africa and Europe, including service as Deputy Head of Mission and Chargée d’Affaires in Bangkok, postings in Kinshasa and Dakar, responsibility for the DR Congo portfolio in Brussels, and work at Belgium’s Permanent Representation to the European Union, with a focus on political affairs, human rights, regional security and crisis management.
Upon presenting her credentials, Ambassador Sarah Gasquard highlighted the importance of the ISA as an international organization: “Moving forward, Belgium intends to continue playing a constructive role within the ISA, actively building bridges between different positions to foster consensus,” she stated.
The new Permanent Representative also shared that Belgium “considers that any decision to move towards exploitation must be strictly subject to three clear conditions: the adoption of a truly robust Mining Code, the generation of sufficient scientific knowledge and complete consistency with, and implementation of, commitments undertaken in other relevant international treaties and organizations.”
Madam Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho warmly welcomed Ambassador Sarah Gasguard, while noting that Belgium “has long been a highly engaged and bridge-building member of ISA, with consistent participation in the work of the Assembly and Council and an important contribution to the technical and regulatory work of the Authority.”
Madam Secretary-General mentioned some of Belgium´s contributions to the work of the ISA, including as an official partner and Champion of the See Her Exceed – SHE Global Mentoring Programme – and as a sponsoring State of Global Sea Mineral Resources, an ISA Contractor, bringing “direct experience with the exploration regime and of the scientific, technical and regulatory questions that are central” to the work of the International Seabed Authority.”
Both leaders expressed their commitment to strengthening their cooperation and deepening the partnership.
About ISA
The International Seabed Authority is an autonomous intergovernmental organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to organize, regulate and control activities in the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for the benefit of humankind as a whole. ISA is committed to ensuring that all activities in the deep seabed are carried out responsibly, using the best available scientific evidence and in accordance with the principle of the common heritage of humankind.
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