Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has announced the candidature of Maldives for the membership of the Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025 during a high-level event organised by the Contact Group Council Membership on the sidelines of the 43rd United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Session.
In his speech, Minister Shahid pledged to uphold the values of justice, fairness and respect for human rights, while assuring all member states that, if elected, the Maldives will act as a voice for all countries. During the event, which was held under the theme ‘Towards a more inclusive, representative and responsible council’, the foreign minister also raised a number of questions in the panel discussion regarding the representation of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries in the Human Rights Council. He reiterated the importance of universal participation and reassured member states of the commitment of Maldives to work with like-minded groups to strengthen inclusivity and diversity in the Council.
Maldives was elected to the Human Rights Council for two consecutive terms from 2011-2016 and played a prominent role to protect and promote human rights in the international arena. During its tenure, Maldives initiated dialogue on the relationship between climate change and human rights which led to the establishment of the Voluntary Trust Fund for SIDS.
Minister Shahid was accompanied by Permanent Representative of Maldives to the UN Office in Geneva Dr. Hala Hameed, Ambassador-at-large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Asim Ahmed and officials at the Permanent Mission of Maldives to the UN Office in Geneva.