Kingston, 16 February 2026 — Her Excellency Ms. Tania López Larroque presented her credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), Ms. Leticia Carvalho, as Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cuba to the ISA, during a ceremony held on 16 February 2026 at ISA Headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica.
Bridging Generations: Two Women Shaping Future Governance and Exploration of the Deep Seabed
Hailing from Nigeria, the path for Oluyemisi Oluwadare into deep-sea science was neither linear nor accidental. Trained initially as an exploration geochemist and economic geologist, Oluwadare worked for over two decades with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) where she supported regional geochemical mapping and delineated mineral prospectivity zones to support investment engagement, resource assessments, and subsequent exploration drilling programmes. With Oluwadare’s extensive background in terrestrial mining systems and her curiosity to expand her scientific horizon, the scale, processes, and resource potential of the deep sea presented an exciting new frontier to explore. Her formal transition into marine geoscience began with ISA’s Deep Dive Online Training Programme, where she completed all three modules consecutively, graduating in 2023. The Deep Dive offered her first structured exposure to the scientific, legal and governance dimensions of the deep seabed, from mineral resources and environmental protection to the science-policy interface that underpins international ocean governance.
Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority and the Government of Cameroon Open the Inaugural In-Person African Academy for Deep Sea Diplomacy Workshop in Yaoundé
Yaoundé, Cameroon, 9 February 2026 – the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), Leticia Carvalho, in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Cameroon, officially opened the inaugural in-person week-long training workshop for the African Academy for Deep Sea Diplomacy (ADSEA) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, hosted by the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC). The opening reception included immense fanfare from Cameroon, including the attendance of Cameroon government officials, Dr. Daniel Urbain Ndongo, Director of IRIC; Mr. Oumarou Chinmoun, Secretary-General, Ministry of External Relations; Professor Aleian Didier Olinger; and H.E. Mr. Tommo Monthe, Permanent Representative of Cameroon to the ISA.
The Permanent Representative of Japan presents credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority
Kingston, 26 January 2026 — His Excellency Mr. Kohei Maruyama presented his credentials to Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), Ms. Leticia Carvalho, as Permanent Representative of Japan to the ISA, during a ceremony held on 26 January 2026 at ISA Headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica.
Five Things to Know About BBNJ
The ocean covers more than 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface. It regulates the climate, supports biodiversity, provides food and sustains the livelihoods of billions of people worldwide. Crucially, if managed sustainably, it also holds vast untapped potential to help humanity thrive, from potentially life-saving marine genetic resources to mineral resources.
Reflections from Madam Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho on ISA Engagements in Japan
14 January 2025 – I recently undertook an official mission to Japan for a series of substantive engagements with government ministries, leading scientific institutions, philanthropic foundations and academic partners. The visit reaffirmed Japan’s long-standing and principled commitment to multilateral cooperation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its 1994 Implementing Agreement, as well as its expectation that the International Seabed Authority continues to provide legal certainty, a sound scientific basis and a stable platform for responsible ocean governance.
Reflections from Madam Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho on ISA Engagements in Singapore
I recently visited Singapore for a focused series of engagements with government, industry and knowledge partners. The mission reaffirmed Singapore’s support for multilateralism under UNCLOS, its growing leadership in ocean diplomacy, and its commitment to advancing coherent, science-based governance of the deep seabed.
The Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago presents credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority
Kingston, 17 December 2025 — Her Excellency Ms. Deborah Thomas-Felix presented her credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), Ms. Leticia Carvalho, as Permanent Representative of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the International Seabed Authority during a ceremony held on 17 December 2025 at ISA Headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica.
International Seabed Authority concludes Contractors’ Training Programmes end-of-training certificate ceremonies
Kingston, Jamaica, 5 December 2025 — The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) hosted two virtual certificate presentation ceremonies on 4 and 5 December 2025, recognizing 69 trainees from developing States who successfully completed training under the ISA Contractors’ Training Programmes (CTP).
