Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has concluded his official visit to New York, where he represented the Maldives at the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
During the visit, the Vice President highlighted the Maldives’ priorities on climate change, the rights and sovereignty of small island states, international development and global governance.
Delivering the Maldives’ national statement at the UN General Debate, the Vice President stressed that every country has the fundamental right to determine its own future. He also highlighted the challenges faced by small states and linked the Maldives’ position at the international level with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s vision of developing the country by 2040.
The Vice President reaffirmed the Maldives’ support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He also called for a rotating seat for small island states on the UN Security Council and comprehensive reforms to the UN system.
Climate change and rising sea levels were also among the key issues raised during the visit. Speaking at a high-level plenary meeting on sea-level rise, the Vice President said the Maldives’ response to the threat is to prioritise climate resilience without delay.
He called for free assistance to help countries respond to climate change to be made available more quickly and across a wider range of areas. He also stressed that rising sea levels should not result in the reduction of legally recognised maritime boundaries or the disappearance of states established in accordance with international law.
The Vice President also held discussions with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as part of efforts to strengthen the Maldives’ international relations.
In addition, he delivered remarks at the Global Development Initiative organised by China, highlighting the Maldives’ development priorities and its support for stronger international cooperation.
The engagements during the UNGA High-Level Week provided the Maldives with an opportunity to raise its key foreign policy and development priorities on the international stage.
