Ambassador José María Fernández López de Turiso presented his credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (the Authority), Ms. Leticia Carvalho, as the Permanent Representative of Spain during a ceremony held in Kingston, Jamaica, on February 26, 2025.

Ambassador Fernández López de Turiso, a seasoned diplomat, has held various prestigious positions within the Government of Spain. Before serving as the Ambassador of Spain to Jamaica, he served as the Deputy Director General of Maghreb (October 2022) and the Middle East (August 2022). Ambassador Fernández López de Turiso served over 30 years in various embassies of Spain and has provided advice on behalf of Spain in the Iberoamerican Foreign Policy Department, technical office, and international cooperation.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Fernández López de Turiso highlighted active role Spain plays as a Member of the Authority with a Permanent Mission in Kingston for decades. “Spain is committed to continuing working constructively and firmly for the adoption of a mining regulation for the seabed which safeguards effective protection of the marine environment as well as for just and equitable management of the resources of the Area,” stated Ambassador Fernández López de Turiso.

Madam Secretary-General Carvalho welcomed Ambassador Fernández López de Turiso as the new Permanent Representative of Spain. “I am pleased to welcome Ambassador Fernández López de Turiso as the new Permanent Representative of Spain to the Authority. We look forward to maintaining our strong partnership with the Government of Spain as we work together to fulfill the mandate of the Authority,” said Ms. Carvalho.