The U.S. government's unauthorized deep-sea mining in international waters is unlawful and will trigger disastrous environmental and geopolitical consequences, warned Leticia Carvalho, secretary-general of the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
The warning follows an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration in April to fast-track the exploration and exploitation of deep-sea mineral resources on the U.S. extended continental shelf and even in the areas beyond the U.S. jurisdiction.
"It's absolutely clear that under the Law of the Sea, no sovereignty rights can be granted in the areas outside of national jurisdiction. So I'm faithfully convinced that the legal arrangement established under the Law of the Sea grants that the area outside of national jurisdiction is a common heritage of mankind. And therefore, the claims, unilateral claims, to rights of exploration or exploitation of minerals in this area is an unlawful act," Carvalho told China Central Television (CCTV) in a recent interview.
Carvalho further argued that the U.S. actions cannot be justified by the country's absence from the ISA.
"Absolutely the executive order conflicts with the international law. I consider the unilateral action as an unlawful act. And therefore, not being part of the International Seabed Authority doesn't justify the fact that a country, a person or a company would claim the right to have unilateral action in the space outside of national jurisdiction," she added.
Carvalho cautioned that the U.S. actions could have catastrophic environmental and geopolitical consequences, potentially disrupting the foundation of international law.
"Environmental and geopolitical consequences will be disastrous, the consequences are to be disastrous. I cannot find any other word for this. Environmentally because, of course this is not going to be attended, monitored or inspected, at least not at the eyes of the international community. So it is unpredictable what one alone can do with the oversight of a dedicated organization. And geopolitically because it undermines one of the major pillars of the international law," Carvalho said.
US unauthorized deep-sea mining unlawful, risks disastrous consequence: ISA chief
