President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Qayyoom has stated that Maldives joining the United Nations was the ultimate expression of the international community’s recognition of the Maldives as a nation-State.
He made the statement in his speech marking the 50th anniversary of the nation’s membership in the UN.
He said that at the time of Maldivian independence in 1965, Maldives was the smallest nation in the world and that it was a big decision for UN to undertake. President Yameen noted that UN has been a willing, and an able, partner for development of the Maldives. He added that UN was a partner even before the nation’s independence and that the collaboration had continued to date. Together with the UN, President Yameen said that the Maldives has been able to attain an unprecedented level of progress on sectors such as health and education.
President Yameen said that Maldivians were proud of their contribution to the UN, especially in those cases where a champion had not pioneered the case. As such, the statement noted that Maldives had raised the issue of Palestine, climate change and on the security of the small states. The statement also called world leaders for actions on these issues to realize our common destiny.
He concluded his statement by stating that Maldives remained committed to work with other countries that show commitment to the values and principles enshrined in the UN Charter, to achieve the noble objectives of the world body.