Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed the President of Maldives will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the first time in six years.
Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, Foreign Secretory of Maldives Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed said President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will focus on human rights, protecting environment and the political arena of Maldives in his address at UNGA to be held from September 17-30.
Although UNGA is a platform to further enhance ties with the international community, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom never attended the sessions during his 5-year presidential term from 2013-2018. Instead, during the period, government ministers had addressed the sessions held at the main United Nations headquarters in New York.
The previous administration maintained President Yameen prioritises nation development instead of travelling abroad. However, Yameen had undertaken several official visits during his presidential term, including India, China, Saudi Arabia and UAE.
It is an electoral pledge of President Solih to further enhance the ties with the international community and to transform the tarnished image of the country.