Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has stated it is important for the public to be aware and informed about the foreign policy of the Maldives. He made the remarks while speaking at the Foreign Service Institute of Maldives (FOSIM) Outreach Programme, which was launched to share information on foreign policy targeting students and government ministries.
Speaking at the launch of the first FOSIM Outreach Programme, Minister Shahid said there is no country that is in conflict with the Maldives describing it as an achievement not achieved by many countries. He spoke about the importance of shaping the country's foreign policy. He also spoke about the importance of the public knowing foreign policy, highlighting the achievements made by the Maldives.
Furthermore, Minister Shahid said the Maldives is a member of 96 international organisations, including the United Nations (UN), the Commonwealth, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Highlighting 1989 saw the establishment of the Small Islands Developing State (SIDS), Minister Shahid expressed the greatest pride of the Maldives is to be recognised as a leader of small island nations. He mentioned the Maldives maintains extraordinarily close relations with all the countries in the Indian Ocean.
The first FOSIM outreach programme was attended by students from secondary schools, students of the Maldives National University (MNU) and employees of government ministries. Additional sessions will be conducted in different parts of the country during the year. The sessions of the FOSIM Outreach Programme will cover bilateral relations, commercial diplomacy, and consular and protocol rules and regulations.