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Maldives shares Maldives' ambitious multilateral agenda with UNSG

Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer has shared the ambitious multilateral agenda of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration with the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres. This discussion took place during Minister Zameer’s visit to New York City as part of his itinerary in the United States.

In the meeting, Minister Zameer emphasised the importance of building on the momentum from the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4). He highlighted the crucial role of the UN System in achieving sustainable development, peace, and security, and praised the Secretary General for his continuous efforts to uphold the UN Charter.

Secretary General Guterres acknowledged the leadership role of the Maldives at the SIDS4 Conference and other multilateral forums, particularly in climate change and financing for development. He reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting the achievement of sustainable development goals and ensuring global peace and security.

Minister Zameer was accompanied by the Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the UN, Ambassador Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed, Secretary for Bilateral Affairs Dr. Hala Hameed, Senior Undersecretary Hassan Hussain Shihab, and Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of the Maldives to the UN, Naufa Rushdi.

In another meeting with the Under Secretary General of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), Li Junhua, discussions focused on how the Maldives can collaborate with the UN DESA to enhance resilience, productivity, and capacity.

Minister Zameer also engaged with the Maldivian community in New York and New Jersey over evening tea, assuring them that maintaining and enhancing consular services is a high priority. He hosted a working lunch for tour operators and travel advisors based in New York, providing an overview of the Maldivian tourism industry and stressing the importance of promoting Maldives tourism in the US market.

Furthermore, Minister Zameer met with the Ambassador of Palestine to the UN, Riyad Mansour, and reiterated the Maldives' solidarity with Palestine and their right to self-determination. He called for an immediate end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza and expressed support for the admission of Palestine as a full UN member.

Minister Zameer’s US visit began in Washington, D.C., where he held meetings with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power, the US Council on Foreign Relations, and several congress members. He also met with the Maldivian community residing in Washington.