Abdul Raheem Abdulla, the Speaker of Parliament, issued a resolute call for intensified multilateral parliamentary cooperation, asserting that such collaboration is indispensable to the preservation of global peace, security, and sustainable development.
Speaking at the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference (ISC) in Islamabad, Speaker Abdul Raheem underscored the interconnected nature of contemporary global challenges. He identified climate change, the spread of misinformation, economic instability, and geopolitical unrest as crises that transcend national boundaries and require unified legislative responses.
Speaker Abdul Raheem stated that peace, security, and development must not be viewed as separate or isolated objectives, but rather as interdependent realities. He maintained that only through enhanced parliamentary cooperation can nations uphold these foundational principles of international stability.
Drawing on the Maldives’ experience as a small island nation, Speaker Abdul Raheem underscored the region’s vulnerability to external shocks. He warned that the impact of a disaster in one area can swiftly extend to neighbouring states, reinforcing the Maldives’ commitment to an international system rooted in multilateralism, good governance, and fairness.
He pointed to regional and international platforms such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as vital mechanisms for fostering diplomatic ties. These institutions, he noted, have deepened the longstanding friendship between the Maldives and Pakistan. Legislative bodies, he added, are instrumental in sustaining such relationships and ensuring that development is pursued with justice and equity.
Addressing humanitarian concerns, Speaker Abdul Raheem expressed grave alarm over the suffering endured by women and children across the globe. He urged parliamentary leaders to approach these issues “with the utmost compassion and responsibility”.
“A secure world cannot be built upon the foundations of fear and violence,” he said. “A secure world can only be realised through hope, justice, and human solidarity.” He also called for rigorous legislative measures to counter non-traditional threats, including terrorism, maritime insecurity, and escalating cyber risks.
In closing, Speaker Abdul Raheem reaffirmed the Maldivian parliament’s commitment to advancing parliamentary diplomacy. He confirmed the Maldives’ support in shaping the Islamabad Declaration, which is to be constructed upon the foundation of the existing Seoul Declaration.