The Secretariat is one of the three principal organs of ISA. The seat of the Secretariat is in Kingston, Jamaica. The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General, who is the chief administrative officer of ISA.

The main functions of the Secretariat include:

  • Providing support to the Secretary-General in fulfilling the functions entrusted to him or her under UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement and in implementing the mandates provided by the Member States
  • Producing reports and other documents containing information, analyses, historical background, research findings, policy suggestions, etc. that facilitate the deliberations and decision-making by the other principal organs and their subsidiary bodies
  • Providing secretariat services to the other principal organs and their subsidiary bodies and providing meeting services (translation, interpretation, and reporting services) to the other principal organs, in accordance with the policies adopted by the Assembly
  • Producing publications, information bulletins and analytical studies and disseminating information on the activities and decisions of ISA
  • Organizing and servicing expert group meetings, seminars and workshops
  • Implementing the work programmes and policies laid down by the other principal organs and their subsidiary bodies
  • Ensuring compliance with plans of work for exploration and exploitation approved in the form of contracts
  • Performing the functions of the Enterprise as specified in Section 2 of the Annex to the 1994 Agreement until the Enterprise begins to operate independently.

As of 2024, the Enterprise is staffed by an interim director general but does not operate independently of the Secretariat.

 

The Secretariat consists of the following central organizational units:

Executive Office of the Secretary-General

The Executive Office of the Secretary-General assists the Secretary-General in supervising and coordinating the work of the Secretariat under his or her executive direction and relevant directives of the Council and the Assembly.

The Executive Office is also responsible for protocol, liaison services, and communications and press support to the Secretary-General.

Composition
Name Position Regional Group
Ms. Leticia Reis de Carvalho Madam Secretary-General GRULAC
Mr. Bruno Pozzi Deputy to the Secretary-General/Chef de Cabinet WEOG
Mr. Wenqiang Yin Principal Policy Officer APG
Ms. Ruth Gichuhi Senior Executive Officer AFG
Ms. Rebecca Alcolea Policy and Strategic Initiatives Officer WEOG
Mr. Besmir Fidahić Associate Copy Editor EEG
Ms. Christine Griffiths Office Manager GRULAC
Ms. Shanique Gregory Senior Communications Assistant GRULAC
Ms. Asenaca Navoti Senior Liaison Assistant, Office of the Permanent Observer for ISA to the United Nations, New York APG
Ms. Melissa Beckles Staff Assistant GRULAC
Ms. Shanica James-Brown Administrative Assistant GRULAC

Office of Legal Affairs

The Office of Legal Affairs is the central legal service of the Secretariat. It provides legal advice to the Secretary-General, the Secretariat and the other principal organs of ISA and their subsidiary bodies. In addition, it represents the Secretary-General in legal conferences and judicial proceedings.

The Office of Legal Affairs is also responsible for the Satya N. Nandan Library, the official documentation of ISA and for managing the provision of conference services for sessions of ISA.

Staff
Name Position Regional group
Ms. Mariana Durney Legal Counsel/Director GRULAC
Mr. Steven Dietrich Senior Legal Officer GRULAC
Ms. Gwénaëlle Le Gurun Legal Officer WEOG
Mr. Marcelino Miranda Legal Officer GRULAC
Ms. Talatu Akindolire Legal Officer AFG
Ms. Tamanna Khan Associate Legal Officer APG
Ms. Kayon Wray Documentation & Conference Management Officer GRULAC
Ms. Shamene Parker Administrative Assistant GRULAC
Ms. Patrena Salmon Administrative/Library Assistant GRULAC

Office of Stewardship, Environment and Resources

The Office of Stewardship, Environment and Resources provides scientific and technical input into the development and implementation of the rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of activities in the Area. It also coordinates the collection, analysis and dissemination of geological, biological, environmental and technological data and information on the Area and its resources, including through the development and maintenance of ISA’s global database.

The Office of Stewardship, Environment and Resources supports the development and implementation of regional environmental management plans, environmental impact assessment and environmental monitoring, and the development of environmental standards and guidelines. It also supports ISA’s work to promote and encourage the conduct of marine scientific research in the Area by developing collaborations with the Member States and international organizations and disseminating the results of scientific research and analysis.

Staff
Name Position Regional group
Mr. Jose Dallo Moros Director WEOG
Mr. Ulrich Schwarz-Schampera Programme Management Officer (Mining Geologist) WEOG
Ms. Noèmie Wouters Programme Coordinator (Marine Scientific Research) WEOG
Ms. Wanfei Qiu Programme Manager (Marine Environment) APG
Ms. Luciana De Melo Santos Genio Environmental Coordinator WEOG
Mr. Sheldon Carter Database Manager GRULAC
Mr. Kioshi Mishiro GIS Officer APG
Mr. Changsung Lim Associate Programme Management Officer WEOG
Mr. Ansel Cadien Senior Information Management Assistant GRULAC
Ms. Camelia Campbell Administrative Assistant GRULAC

Office of Contracts Management and Capacity-Building

The Office of Contracts Management and Capacity-Building is the central administrative point of contact between contractors, sponsoring States and the Secretariat. The Unit processes applications for approval of plans of work for exploration or exploitation and for extensions of such contracts. It maintains a definitive central registry of contracts, in accordance with best international practice, and ensures the safe custody and confidentiality of all documents, data and information submitted in connection with such contracts and applications for approval of plans of work.

The unit is also responsible for capacity-development initiatives includes the Contractors’ Training Programme, Deep Dive and internships.

Staff
Name Position Regional group
Mr. Yongsheng Cai Director APG
Mr. Akuila Tawake Chief, Compliance Assurance and Regulatory Management Unit APG
Mr. Chapi Mwango Quality Assurance and Compliance Officer WEOG
Ms. Margaret Koli Programme Management Officer AFG
Ms. Linda Ansu-Kyeremeh Contract Management Officer AFG
Ms. Annekah Mason Training Coordinator GRULAC
Ms. Nuklan Hugh Learning and Development Assistant GRULAC
Ms. Nicole Powell Administrative Assistant GRULAC

Office for Administrative Services

The Office for Administrative Services provides general administrative and management support to the Secretariat. Its functions include financial management and control, preparation of proposed budgets, assessment of Member States’ contributions, recruitment of staff and contractors, procurement of goods and services, personnel management and security.

Staff
Name Position Regional group
Mr. Yongsheng Cai Officer in Charge APG
Mr. Joseph Khoreich Budget and Oversight Officer APG
Mr. Pablo Andres Vidal Finance Officer GRULAC
Mr. Oliver Murima Human Resources Officer AFG
Ms. Lilian Valles-Carrillo Associate Procurement Officer GRULAC
Ms. Sonja Phinn Associate Security and Facilities Officer GRULAC
Mr. Fitzroy Ferguson Senior Finance Assistant GRULAC
Mr. Sheldon Gruber Senior Budget & Treasury Assistant GRULAC
Ms. Bobett Russell Administrative Assistant GRULAC
Ms. Michell McGhie Budget Assistant GRULAC
Mr. Richard Tucker Travel and HR Assistant GRULAC
Mr. Andre Brooks CIT Assistant GRULAC
Ms. Sashi Walters-Brooks Finance Assistant GRULAC
Ms. Hyacinth Henriques-Douglas Procurement Assistant GRULAC
Mr. Leroy Smith Driver/General Services Assistant GRULAC
Mr. Oswald Williams Driver/Warehouse Worker GRULAC
For Staff Members Only
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