Ambassador Albert Ranganai Chimbindi presented his credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, as the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Zimbabwe to ISA during a ceremony held today in Kingston, Jamaica.
Ambassador Chimbindi is the Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe to the United Nations. A career diplomat, Mr. Chimbindi joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Zimbabwe in 1986. He holds a master’s degree in international relations and a bachelor’s degree, with honors, in politics and administration, both from the University of Zimbabwe.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Chimbindi noted that the work of ISA plays a pivotal role in promoting the rule of law in ocean governance and the well-being of humankind. “Zimbabwe respects and unequivocally abides by the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and international law. Zimbabwe is equally committed to strengthening cooperation with ISA and the international community for the preservation and protection of the marine environment in the Area for the benefit of current and future generations, taking into account the special circumstances of developing States,” Ambassador Chimbindi said.
Secretary-General Lodge welcomed Ambassador Chimbindi as the new Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe to ISA. “I am delighted that Zimbabwe has decided to establish a permanent mission to ISA. Supporting landlocked developing States to benefit from the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea has been one of my key priorities. It is gratifying to see Zimbabwe send this clear signal of its support for multilateralism, the rule of law in the ocean and its readiness to increase active participation in ISA’s activities,” Mr. Lodge said.
Before this appointment, Mr. Chimbindi was a Director External of the President’s Department (2020-2021), the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union Commission and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (2014-2020), a Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2011-2014) and Under-Secretary (Deputy Director) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2004-2011).
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms. Stefanie Neno, Communications Specialist, ISA, sneno@isa.org.jm