Ambassador Dr. Erja Askola presented her credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (the Authority), Ms. Leticia Carvalho, as Ambassador Designate of the European Union during a ceremony held in Kingston, Jamaica, on 27 January 2025.
Ambassador Askola, a seasoned diplomat, has held various prestigious positions within the European Union. Before serving as the Deputy Head of the regional delegation of the European Union between 2020 and 2024, Ambassador Askola served over 20 years in various European Union institutions. She has solid experience in various international negotiations and partnerships, notably political and trade negotiations in the context of Economic Partnership Agreements with African, Caribbean and Pacific partners, as well as the OACPS-EU Partnership Agreement.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Askola emphasized the value that the European Union places on its enduring partnership with the Authority, built on shared principles of sustainable ocean governance and equitable use of resources. “Under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the EU reaffirms its commitment to promoting global governance, protecting marine ecosystems and ensuring the ocean remains a common heritage of humankind,” stated Ambassador Askola.
Madam Secretary-General Carvalho welcomed Ambassador Askola as the new Permanent Representative. “I am delighted to welcome Ambassador Askola as the new Permanent Representative of the European Union to the Authority. We look forward to strengthening our collaboration with the European Union and its member states in advancing the implementation of the Authority’s mandate,” 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