H.E. Marcelo Balbi Calvo presented his credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, as the Permanent Representative of Argentina during a ceremony held in Kingston, Jamaica, on 8 March 2024.
Ambassador Balbi has devoted nearly two decades to the Argentine Foreign Service since starting his career in 2004. His diplomatic journey includes several roles with high levels of responsibility, such as Head of the Consular Section at the Embassy in the Republic of Colombia and Coordinator of Oceanic Policy and South Atlantic.
During the credential presentation ceremony, Ambassador Balbi emphasized Argentina’s commitment to the mandate and work of ISA. “I am pleased to be appointed Permanent Representative of Argentina to ISA. My country has always been fully committed to the important work done by this organization. Argentina actively participates in the ISA Council and Assembly and, as champion of the ISA’s Action Plan for marine scientific research, fully supports the work done during the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development,” he said.
In welcoming Ambassador Balbi, Secretary-General Lodge highlighted the historical role played by Argentina in the work of ISA. “Argentina has been an active and valued Member of ISA since the negotiations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We are grateful for the support we received from Argentina over the years,” he said. “I trust that with Ambassador Balbi’s extensive experience and diplomatic skills, our collaborative efforts towards the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the sustainable management of seabed resources in the Area will result in positive outcomes for the benefit of all humanity,” he added.
About ISA
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous international organization mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to protect the seabed for the shared benefit of humankind. ISA is committed to the principle that all nations of the world should benefit from responsible, sustainable and regulated economic activities in the deep seabed, including deep seabed mining and the potential resources the deep seabed holds for a global green transition. ISA works to ensure that the voices of all states and stakeholders, including developing states, civil society organizations and all ISA Member States, are effectively heard in discussions around the sustainable development of the deep seabed.
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