International Seabed Authority appoints pro-conservation Secretary General in pivotal election

A Brazilian oceanographer, Leticia Carvalho, has been elected as the new Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), marking a significant shift in the organisation's leadership. Carvalho, the first woman and scientist to hold this position, will oversee the regulation of deep-sea mining for minerals crucial for electric vehicle batteries. Her appointment follows a contentious election and promises a focus on science, transparency, and accountability. Carvalho's leadership could potentially delay the establishment of mining regulations, instead aiming to protect biodiverse deep-sea ecosystems. (Mongabay)