Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid met with the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres today. 

At the meeting held at the Office of the Secretary General at the United Nations, Foreign Minister Shahid thanked the Secretary General for his support to the Maldives, especially in its democratic transition. 

Speaking on the priorities of the new government of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Foreign Minister briefed the Secretary General of the government’s two focus areas – it’s reform agenda, and its agenda for socio-economic development of the Maldives.

While highlighting the issues of critical importance to the Maldives internationally, Minister Shahid briefed the Secretary General of the initiatives lead by the Maldives at the UN. The Minister assured the Secretary General that the Maldives will continue its advocacy and activism on the most challenging issues to the Maldives and other small states, such as climate change.
Secretary General Guterres congratulated the Maldives on a peaceful transition of power and commended the Maldives on its leadership at global forums on its advocacy, especially on climate change.

Minister Shahid was accompanied in the meeting by Mr. Ahmed Khaleel, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed, Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the UN and senior officials at the Permanent Mission of the Maldives to the United Nations in New York.

Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid told the United Nations Security Council that “we cannot wait for climate change to force us to abandon our identity and lose our homes. We need actions.”

Speaking today at the Council’s Open Debate “Addressing impacts of climate-related disasters on international peace and security”, initiated by the Dominican Republic, Minister Shahid stressed the need for urgent actions that are consistent with the commitments already made, to reverse the negative impacts of climate change.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid met with several Foreign Ministers and Permanent Representatives in New York today.

As part of a series of meetings, during his two-day visit to New York, Foreign Minister Shahid met with the Foreign Minister of Indonesia and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation on global issues of mutual interest, especially in combating climate change and sustainable development.

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The Vice President Faisal Naseem has stated that India remains a robust partner in the development of our nation. He made this remark while speaking at the ceremony held at Dharubaaruge to mark the India’s Republic day. 

During the ceremony the Vice President conveyed greetings and well wishes to the India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the people of India. 

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice President shed light on the relationship between two nations. In this regard, he noted that the bond between the two countries is far beyond bilateral ties and it is forged through years of acquaintance, shared traditions and aspirations.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid met with several Foreign Ministers and Permanent Representatives in New York today.

Foreign Minister Shahid met with the Foreign Ministers of Belgium, Dominican Republic and Kuwait and discussed avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation on global issues of mutual interest, multilaterally.

Foreign Minister Shahid also met with Permanent Representatives of Fiji, Singapore, India, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria and held discussions on issues of mutual interest, and explored avenues for future cooperation, especially on issues of critical importance to the Maldives such as climate change. The Foreign minister is visiting New York, to speak at the United Nations Security Council’s Open Debate “Addressing impacts of climate-related disasters on international peace and security”, scheduled for 25 January.

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