25 January 2019, New York

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid met with the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres today. 

At the meeting held at the Office of the Secretary General at the United Nations, Foreign Minister Shahid thanked the Secretary General for his support to the Maldives, especially in its democratic transition.

Speaking on the priorities of the new government of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Foreign Minister briefed the Secretary General of the government’s two focus areas – it’s reform agenda, and its agenda for socio-economic development of the Maldives.

While highlighting the issues of critical importance to the Maldives internationally, Minister Shahid briefed the Secretary General of the initiatives lead by the Maldives at the UN.  The Minister assured the Secretary General that the Maldives will continue its advocacy and activism on the most challenging issues to the Maldives and other small states, such as climate change.

Secretary General Guterres congratulated the Maldives on a peaceful transition of power and commended the Maldives on its leadership at global forums on its advocacy, especially on climate change.

Minister Shahid was accompanied in the meeting by Mr. Ahmed Khaleel, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed, Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the UN and senior officials at the Permanent Mission of the Maldives to the United Nations in New York.

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