Today, the Permanent Representative of Gabon to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michel Xavier Biang, presented his credentials to ISA Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, during a virtual ceremony.

Ambassador Biang has been the Permanent Representative of Gabon to the United Nations since 2017 and was designated Permanent Representative to ISA on 11 February 2021.

“The seabed is a crucial stake for the future of humanity and calls for the protection of the marine environment and the preservation of its ecological balance. As Permanent Representative of Gabon to ISA, I intend to give resonance to this perception which constitutes a corner stone of the President of the Gabonese Republic, His Excellency Ali Bongo Ondimba’s policy and international advocacy,” said Ambassador Biang when presenting his credentials.

In receiving the Ambassador’s official credentials, Mr. Lodge said: “The Authority looks forward to working with Gabon in the implementation of its mandate and to learn from its experience in achieving the sustainable development of its natural resources, including mineral resources.”

Prior to these appointments, Mr. Biang was Ambassador of Gabon to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, accredited concurrently to Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda (2015-2017).

Previous assignments in the Government include Deputy Permanent Secretary to the National Climate Council in charge of international climate-change negotiations (2014 to 2015); Director of Legal Affairs at the National Civil Aviation Agency (2012 to 2014); Diplomatic and Legal Adviser (2010 to 2012) and Legal Adviser (2009-2010) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 2018, Mr. Biang was elected chair of the Sixth Committee (Legal) during the seventy-second session of the United Nations General Assembly. Between 2004 and 2005, he was the legal adviser to the President of the fifty-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly. 

Mr. Biang holds an advanced degree in diplomacy from Gabon’s École nationale d’administration and a master’s degree in public law from Omar Bongo University in Gabon.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Ms. Stefanie Neno, Communications Specialist, ISA, sneno@isa.org.jm

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