Ambassador José María Fernández López de Turiso presented his credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (the Authority), Ms. Leticia Carvalho, as the Permanent Representative of Spain during a ceremony held in Kingston, Jamaica, on 26 February 2025.
Ambassador Fernández López de Turiso, a seasoned diplomat, has held various prestigious positions within the Government of Spain. Before serving as the Ambassador of Spain to Jamaica, he served as the Deputy Director General of Maghreb (October 2022) and the Middle East (August 2022). Ambassador Fernández López de Turiso served over 30 years in various embassies of Spain and has provided advice on behalf of Spain in the Iberoamerican Foreign Policy Department, technical office and international cooperation.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Fernández López de Turiso highlighted active role Spain plays as a Member of the Authority with a Permanent Mission in Kingston for decades. “Spain is committed to continuing working constructively and firmly for the adoption of a mining regulation for the seabed which safeguards effective protection of the marine environment as well as for just and equitable management of the resources of the Area,” stated Ambassador Fernández López de Turiso.
Madam Secretary-General Carvalho welcomed Ambassador Fernández López de Turiso as the new Permanent Representative of Spain. “I am pleased to welcome Ambassador Fernández López de Turiso as the new Permanent Representative of Spain to the Authority. We look forward to maintaining our strong partnership with the Government of Spain as we work together to fulfil the mandate of the Authority,” said Ms. Carvalho.
About the International Seabed Authority
The International Seabed Authority (the Authority) 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. The Authority 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 (hu)mankind.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Communications Unit of the Authority, news@isa.org.jm