Controversy at the International Seabed Authority

Allegations of possible payments to help secure votes, claims of abuse of agency funds by top diplomats, and a possible job offer to entice a candidate to withdraw from a race – these are the unfolding events within the United Nations-affiliated International Seabed Authority. These actions are strategically meant to influence decisions regarding the commencement of seabed mining for metals used in electric vehicles.

Amidst the genteel facade of diplomacy, a fierce battle is underway to determine the next leader of the International Seabed Authority, the governing body responsible for regulating mining activities in international waters. The stakes are high, with billions of dollars hanging in the balance, and the contentious nature of the agency’s upcoming agenda is evident.

With 168 member nations, the International Seabed Authority plays a pivotal role in deciding the future of deep-sea mining. As the agency prepares to receive its first application for industrial-scale mining, tensions are running high. The elected leader will wield significant influence over crucial decisions in the years to come.

Michael Lodge, the current secretary-general of the International Seabed Authority since 2016, is vying for a third four-year term. He is advocating for the finalization of environmental regulations as the agency gears up to review potential mining applications in the Pacific Ocean, a region rich in mineral resources.

Challenging Lodge is Leticia Carvalho, an esteemed oceanographer and former oil-industry regulator from Brazil. Carvalho advocates for a more cautious approach, emphasizing the need for thorough deliberation before approving any mining activities. She contends that the regulatory framework must be solidified before granting mining permits.