Yaoundé, Cameroon – 16 February 2026 – At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Cameroon, I travelled to Yaoundé to open the inaugural in-person workshop of the African Academy for Deep Sea Diplomacy (ADSEA).
This visit was about partnership. It was about responsibility. And it was about strengthening Africa’s effective participation within the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to help shape the governance of our global commons.
For one week, nearly 30 diplomats, government officials and policymakers from across all five African sub-regions, including least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States gathered at the International Relations Institute of Cameroon. They came united by a shared understanding: the future of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction concerns all of them. The workshop built on the conceptual knowledge acquired during an online training phase held from 20 October to 1 December 2025 through ISA’s Deep Dive e-learning platform. I was particularly encouraged by the strong participation of women in the inaugural cohort, a reflection of ISA’s commitment to advancing gender equality and inclusive participation in ocean affairs, a priority I hold deeply in my leadership.
The ADSEA was created in response to priorities expressed by African Member States. It is an investment in capacity, institutional leadership and effective participation. Through practical exercises and simulations of ISA negotiations that mirror real institutional processes, participants strengthened the skills needed to engage constructively in ISA deliberations. The ADSEA contributes to the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development by strengthening the capacity required to translate science into sound policy and responsible governance. It also builds on the aspirations of the Agenda 2063 by developing capable future leaders for Africa’s blue economy and global ocean governance.
A clear message emerged from the discussions: Africa is not a newcomer to the seabed regime. African States played a historic role in shaping Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and its 1994 Implementing Agreement. The task now is to ensure that this legacy translates into sustained and coordinated influence in the present. Effective multilateralism depends on meaningful participation. And meaningful participation, in turn, depends on preparedness.
During my mission, I had the honour of being received by the Honourable Prime Minister of Cameroon, Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute. At a time when multilateral cooperation faces strain in many regions, Cameroon’s reaffirmation of support for international law and collective governance sends an important signal. The Prime Minister underscored that activities in the Area must be governed responsibly, equitably and in accordance with international law.
In meetings with the Secretary-General of the Presidency, Mr. Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, and the Minister Delegate at the Ministry of External Relations, Mr. Felix Mbayu, we discussed strengthening Africa’s coordinated engagement within the African Group and advancing the work required to complete the regulatory framework guiding future activities in the Area. Completing this framework is essential to ensuring predictability, equity and environmental stewardship because strengthening preparedness today ensures that the regulatory framework is completed through informed, balanced and constructive engagement.
I also met with the United Nations Resident Coordinator to explore enhanced coordination with the United Nations System organizations. Ocean governance is closely linked to sustainable development, climate action and the blue economy. Strengthening cooperation across institutions is vital to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring that no country is left behind.
By hosting the inaugural in-person workshop, Cameroon has signaled its readiness to support deeper and more coordinated African participation within the ISA. Anchoring ADSEA in Yaoundé represents a practical step towards building long-term capacity and confidence in ocean governance.
I left Cameroon confident about the commitment to capacity and the clarity of political support, convinced that inclusive governance of the global commons is both necessary and achievable through a multilateral approach. The work begun in Yaoundé is an investment in that shared future.
For a more detailed account of the mission and its outcomes, these reflections are complemented by the Report of the Secretary-General on the Mission to the Republic of Cameroon (9–13 February 2026) submitted to the Council of the International Seabed Authority. The report provides a structured overview of the activities undertaken during the visit, including the launch and content of the inaugural in-person training programme of ADSEA, the objectives and outcomes of the workshop, the discussions held on Africa’s role within the ISA framework and the importance of coordinated engagement within the African Group. It also summarizes the high-level bilateral consultations with the Prime Minister of Cameroon and other Government of Cameroon senior officials, engagement with the United Nations Resident Coordinator, and offers an overall assessment of how the mission contributes to strengthening capacity, fostering preparedness and supporting inclusive participation in the governance of the Area.
Leticia Carvalho
Secretary-General
International Seabed Authority