Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has received honourary membership in the International Association of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations (IAPR).
At a special ceremony, Minister Shahid received the honorary membership in recognition of his valuable contributions to the foreign sector, including establishing and strengthening diplomatic relations with other countries, and his exemplary work as the President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA).
At the ceremony, President of IAPR Neville Melvin Gertzeduring expressed the association's appreciation and recognition of his tireless services and leadership as the president of the 76th UNGA. He noted Minister Shahid had provided hope to the global community and fostered peace and security, as well as reaffirmed human rights and upheld international law.
IAPR was founded in 1988 in New York by 13 permanent representatives from Argentina, the Bahamas, China, France, Hungary, India, Malaysia, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Tunisia, Venezuela, and Zambia.
The purpose of IAPR is to serve as a forum between former and active permanent representatives of the United Nations (UN), to maintain communication between them, and to serve as a focal point for their involvement in the activities of various international institutions and forums.