Ambassador Meli Daudey is a career diplomat with over two decades of experience in multilateral affairs and international diplomacy. She holds a Master’s degree in European Politics and Administration from the College of Europe in Bruges and a Bachelor’s degree (Honors) in International Relations from the University of Malta. Before her current appointment, she served as Malta’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and to the United Nations in Vienna (2018–2025), chairing its Permanent Council in 2024. She previously served as Ambassador to the Republic of Poland (2016–2018) and has held senior diplomatic postings in New York, Paris, and Brussels.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Meli Daudey stated: “It is a great honor to present my credentials as Malta’s Permanent Representative to the ISA. Almost sixty years ago, Malta’s first Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Arvid Pardo, proposed the visionary idea that the deep seabed should be regarded as the common heritage of humankind, a principle that underpins the very creation of the ISA. Today, Malta remains steadfast in its commitment to this vision, reaffirming that all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out within the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We will continue to support the work of the ISA in promoting multilateral cooperation, the precautionary approach, scientific research, equitable benefit-sharing and capacity-building, particularly for developing States. Together, we are stewarding a legacy for present and future generations.”
Secretary-General Carvalho welcomed Ambassador Meli Daudey and expressed her appreciation for Malta’s long-standing engagement with ocean governance and its leadership in advancing the international law of the sea. She also acknowledged Malta’s historic role in shaping global discussions on the common heritage of humankind and its continued support for the ISA’s work.
“Malta’s vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the global ocean governance agenda since the very origins of the concept of the common heritage of humankind, and 60 years later they continue this noble legacy as sponsor of the International Day of the Deep Seabed,” said Secretary-General Carvalho. “We are honored to welcome Ambassador Meli Daudey as Malta’s Permanent Representative to the ISA, and we look forward to strengthening our collaboration in promoting a fair, inclusive and sustainable future for the deep seabed.”
Both parties highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between the ISA and Malta in areas such as capacity development, marine scientific research, and the promotion of ocean literacy.