​His Excellency Paul William Lumbi, High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia to the United Kingdom, on Wednesday (8 April) paid a courtesy visit to the Headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to mark Zambia’s status as the newest Member State of IMO.

The Republic of Zambia became the latest Member of IMO, following the deposit, of an instrument of acceptance of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Welcoming His Excellency Lumbi, IMO Secretrary-General Koji Sekimizu said that the Republic of Zambia is an important member of the international community. He said, “I’m sure our membership will really welcome you. We will support you.”

In turn, His Excellency Lumbi expressed his happiness at Zambia’s having joined IMO, saying “we look forward to benefiting from the experiences of other IMO Member States, particularly landlocked States.”

With the acceptance of the Convention by Zambia, the number of IMO Member States stands at 171, with a further three Associate Members.