Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has called for international support and assistance in the efforts to rebuild the Maldives as a more resilient nation following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delivering his remarks at the virtual Independence Day Reception held for diplomats, Foreign Minister Shahid noted the Maldives became a member of the United Nations (UN) 55 years ago, knowing international recognition and support would be essential for the survival of the nation which was the smallest and one of the poorest independent nations at the time. The minister noted the country faced numerous challenges immediately following independence, such as the lack of human resources, poor infrastructure and under-developed economy, amongst many others. However, he said the country was able to overcome the many hurdles it faced at independence, confront the many challenges and crises throughout the years and achieve the many successes it has achieved today, with the support of the international community.
Speaking further, the foreign minister said independence has been clearly interwoven with inter-dependence for the Maldives, adding it is why the foreign policy of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is geared towards fortifying existing ties, and establishing new ones. In this regard, the minister revealed the Maldives has now established formal diplomatic relations with 172 countries out of 193 UN members, adding the country will continue to intensify and revitalise these mutually beneficial development partnerships.
The foreign minister further highlighted these are unprecedented times, noting the absence of the usually colourful celebrations on Independence Day due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The minister stated the pandemic hit the small island nations like the Maldives especially hard, due to dependency on tourism. He added COVID-19 has forced the government to make difficult decisions in the interest of containing the spread, such as the closure of borders for 110 days, which effectively blocked the income of the country.
The foreign minister expressed the whole world is in the same storm albeit in different boats, adding cooperation, inter-dependence and partnership is the way forward as the world looks to rebuild following the pandemic. As such, the minister appealed for international assistance to the efforts of the Maldives to rebuild as a more resilient nation. He acknowledged and appreciated the many international partners that have already extended a helping hand to the Maldives amid the global crisis.
Concluding his remarks, Foreign Minister Shahid expressed hope the existing partnerships with the many development partners of the Maldives would be enhanced in the days to come.