Highlights and images for 2 August 2024

On the final day of the Assembly meeting, all eyes were on the election of the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), with two candidates running for the position: Leticia Reis de Carvalho, nominated by Brazil; and incumbent Michael Lodge, nominated by Kiribati.

Acting President Amara Sowa, Sierra Leone, presented the candidates and outlined the electoral process. He suggested an informal, secret, indicative vote to assess the level of support for each candidate, allowing a subsequent decision by consensus.

Canada, Samoa, and Singapore objected to the informal vote, stressing the need for transparency. Uganda expressed support, noting that the informal vote “has served us well in the past.”

Acting President Sowa stated the election shall take place by a formal vote by secret ballot and explained the rules of procedure, including for proxy votes. Following clarifications on voting rights for members in arrears, the Assembly proceeded with the election.

Delegates elected Leticia Reis de Carvalho, Brazil, as the new ISA Secretary-General with 79 votes in favor out of a total of 113 valid ballots cast. Her term commences 1 January 2025.

Brazil underscored that the result is “an expression of its commitment to strengthen the institution of the ISA and to fulfilling the ISA’s mandate,” adding that the incoming Secretary-General Leticia Reis de Carvalho will be “building bridges between all ISA stakeholders." Kiribati acknowledged the results of the election, extending his congratulations to the elected candidate and thanking the outgoing Secretary-General for his service to the ISA. A delegate stressed informally that “the margin of the results clearly demonstrates an overwhelming appetite to open a new chapter in ISA's history.”

Delegates further:

• approved the report of the Credentials Committee;
• took note of the report of the interim Director General of the Enterprise;
• decided to defer to the 30th Annual Session the consideration of the periodic review of the international regime of the Area; and
• took note of the report on the review of the high-level action plan for the extended period 2019–2025 and adopted the high-level action plan as reviewed.

Regarding the development of a general ISA policy on the protection and preservation of the marine environment, following lengthy informal consultations, delegates were not able to reach consensus on the modalities for an intersessional dialogue toward the development of such a general policy. They were further unable to agree on deferring the item to the 30th Session in 2025. Acting President Sowa stressed that this does not preclude the initiative’s proponents from presenting the item once again for inclusion in the agenda for next year's session, according to the rules of procedure. 

Acting President Sowa thanked all delegates and participants for their hard work and commitment and gaveled the meeting to a close at 6:12 p.m.