22 September 2016, New York: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Asim today urged the international community to make the implementation of the Declaration of the Rights to Development a reality not just in aspiration, but in action. Minister Asim made the remark while speaking at the High Level event held to mark the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Rights to Development event held at the sidelines of the 71st UNGA held in New York.
Highlighting that 'political will was a key ingredient in the implementation of the Agenda, Minister Asim highlighted that Governments are not short of arguments, smart ideas, or ways and means. Rather, he stated, Governments seem to be short of drive to change the status quo, or take bold steps forward.
In his statement Minister Asim underscored the critical importance of international cooperation to Small Island Developing States such as the Maldives, highly dependent on the support of the international community – whether its financing, technology and knowledge transfer, or capacity building support - to face numerous challenges – such as climate change, economic and financial shocks – over which we have limited control over.
Minister Asim reiterated the Maldives' commitment to the full implementation of the Declaration and its resolve to work together with partners to achieve the sustainable development goals to ensure a sustainable, equitable, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous future for all.
ENDS
