Vice President Faisal Naseem has returned to the Maldives after concluding an official visit to New York City, US.
In New York, Vice President Naseem attended the high-level thematic debate on the theme of putting sustainable and resilient tourism at the heart of an inclusive recovery. Delivering a statement at the debate, the vice president said that the leadership of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration, coupled with the steadfast support of the private sector, paved the road to recovery for the Maldives tourism sector from the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He then called on nations and stakeholders to ensure that tourism plays a central role in COVID-19 recovery and the achievement of sustainable development goals.
The debate was convened by the President of the 76th Session of the United Nations the General Assembly (UNPGA) Abdulla Shahid in collaboration with the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). After delivering the statement, Vice President Naseem paid a courtesy call on Shahid, during which he recognised the role of the UNPGA in combating the climate crisis and bringing attention to vulnerable states facing the highest impacts of climate change. He also expressed his gratitude to the UNPGA for his role in attracting foreign aid and investment to the Maldives as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Additionally, Vice President Naseem met with Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres during the visit and discussed the need for increased climate financing for the Maldives. During the meeting, the secretary-general highlighted that the Maldives is on the front line of climate action and requires huge investments on this front, expressing his support and solidarity with the Maldives on such matters. He then expressed his determination to continue fighting for the rights of small and vulnerable nations, as well as his commitment to climate action.