The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Eden Charles, from Trinidad and Tobago, as Interim Director-General of the Enterprise, pursuant to Article 170 and Annex IV of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and decision ISBA/28/C/10 of the Council of 31 March 2023 and in accordance of the evolutionary approach set out by the 1994 Agreement.
The Enterprise, as an integral organ of the Authority, is mandated to conduct direct activities in the Area, encompassing the transportation, processing, and marketing of minerals. In the interim, the Secretariat of ISA has been tasked with the responsibility to perform the functions of the Enterprise until it begins to operate independently of the Secretariat. Between 2020 and 2023, these functions were performed by a Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Enterprise.
The ISA Council and Assembly have agreed to create the role of interim Director-General for the Enterprise, as the discussions on the regulations for mineral resource exploitation progresses.
Mr. Charles, with a distinguished diplomatic career spanning over twenty years, has held influential roles including Chairman of the Sixth Committee (Legal Affairs) of the United Nations General Assembly and Lead Negotiator for CARICOM at the United Nations Diplomatic Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Mr. Charles also served as also Chair of the Preparatory Commission for the legally binding instrument under UNCLOS for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Based in Kingston, Jamaica, at the ISA Secretariat, Mr. Charles will report administratively to the Secretary-General while being accountable to both the Council and the Assembly.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms. Jaimie Abbott, Communications Specialist, ISA, jabbott@isa.org.jm