Business
International Seabed Authority Elects Leticia Carvalho as New Executive Amid Mining Controversy
The International Seabed Authority has elected Leticia Carvalho as its new Executive amid ongoing controversies surrounding deep-sea mining. Explore the implications of her leadership in navigating environmental concerns and regulatory challenges.
International Seabed Authority Elects New Executive Amid Controversy
The International Seabed Authority, the global body responsible for overseeing seabed mining operations, made a significant leadership change on Friday. In a decisive vote, the agency replaced its longstanding top executive amid concerns regarding his close ties to the mining industry.
Leticia Carvalho, an accomplished oceanographer from Brazil and a distinguished United Nations environmental regulator, was elected as the new leader of the agency. She secured her position with a vote tally of 79 to 34 from the member nations of the Authority. Following the vote, which was conducted via secret ballot, Ms. Carvalho expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I can’t wait to start working with state parties and stakeholders at this honorable organization.”
The former executive, Michael Lodge, has been a contentious figure during his nearly eight-year tenure at the helm of the International Seabed Authority. Environmental advocates have raised alarms, accusing him of collaborating with private contractors to expedite the onset of mining activities in international waters, sparking fears about the potential ecological impact.
Mr. Lodge has firmly denied these allegations, asserting that he has strived to lead the agency impartially while navigating the complex landscape of seabed mining regulations. His leadership has drawn mixed reactions, with over 30 countries advocating for a postponement or even a moratorium on the commencement of seabed mining.
In contrast, Ms. Carvalho has voiced her stance against a formal moratorium on seabed mining. However, she emphasized in a recent interview that she believes industrial-scale mining should not commence until comprehensive environmental regulations are firmly established. She acknowledged that the process of finalizing these regulations could take several years, highlighting the need for a careful and considered approach to seabed mining.