NEW IHO MEMBER STATE - MALTA

IHO File No. S1/0193 CIRCULAR LETTER 14/2017 09 February 2017 NEW IHO MEMBER STATE - MALTA References: A. IHO CL 32/2015 dated 13 April - Applications for Membership of the IHO from the Republic of Malta and the Republic of Vanuatu B. IHO CL 41/2016 dated 23 August - Date of entry into force of the amendments to the Convention on the IHO and its supporting Basic Documents Dear Hydrographer, 1. The IHO Secretariat has been informed by the Department (Ministry) of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Government of Monaco that Malta deposited its Instrument of Accession to the Convention on the International Hydrographic Organization on 11 January 2017. Accordingly, the IHO Secretariat is very pleased to announce that Malta has become the 86th Member State of the International Hydrographic Organization as of that date. 2. Reference A announced the application from Malta for membership of the IHO in accordance with the provisions in force at that time requiring that applicants obtain the approval of two-thirds of the IHO Member States. At the date of entry into force of the amendments to the Convention of the IHO (see Reference B), Malta had obtained 37 approvals out of 53 required. As a result of the new provisions applicable from 8 November 2016, States wishing to join the IHO that are already Member States of the United Nations, which is the case of all pending applicant States, have no need to seek the approval of existing IHO Member States. 3. The Government of the Principality of Monaco is now informing the States Parties to the IHO Convention that, in conformity with Article XX, the Convention entered into force for Malta 11 January 2017. 4. The IHO Secretariat is delighted to welcome Malta to the IHO. Yours sincerely, Robert WARD Secretary-General Mapping our Seas, Oceans and Waterways - more important than ever