21 May 2019, New York

The new Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations, Her Excellency Ambassador Ms Thilmeeza Hussain, has presented her Letter of Credence to the Secretary General of the United Nations, His Excellency Mr. António Guterres, during a ceremony held today at the United Nations Headquarters, New York.

At the ceremony, Ambassador Hussain conveyed the greetings from President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the Government and the people of Maldives to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. She reaffirmed the commitment of the Maldives to fully uphold and respect the principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations and as a Member State, to further contribute to achieving the goals of the organization, in promoting development, peace and harmony.

Ambassador Hussain thanked the Secretary-General for the continued support of the United Nations to the Maldives in national developmental efforts, on climate change and the constructive and complementary role the United Nations has played on the ground in Maldives especially during the struggle to restore democracy in the country. She also shared Presidents Solih’s foreign policy priorities on climate change, democracy and good governance, rule of law, human rights and gender rights and sought further support from the Secretary General on this. She also thanked the Secretary General for his commitment and exemplary leadership in bringing the climate agenda to the forefront and to accelerate climate action. She assured that the Maldives will continue to be reliable partner in his efforts.

The President of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, appointed Ambassador Hussain as the new Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations and the Ambassador to the United States on 18 April 2019. Prior to her appointment as the Permanent Representative, Ambassador Hussain held the post of Deputy Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of the Maldives to the United Nations and Non-Resident Deputy Ambassador to The United States and Canada, in New York (November 2009 to February 2012). Since then, till her present appointment she was a key member of the Foreign Relations Committee (FRC) of the then main opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), where she lobbied to maintain close relations with the government of the United States and other agencies to garner support in the restoration of democracy and rule of law in the Country.

ENDS