4 October 2011, New York; The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the 
Republic of Maldives H. E. Mr. Aslam Mohamed Shakir, currently in New York to attend the 66th UNGA Session, delivered a statement today at the General Debate of the Second Committee. The Second Committee of the UN focuses on issues of economic growth and development, financing for development, globalization and interdependence and sustainable development. In his statement at the opening of the Second Committee, the Minister touched on a number of key issues. He began his statement by reaffirming Maldives’ commitment to the Rio+20 conference on sustainable development, which will be held next year in Brazil. He called for a translation of the principle of sustainable development into real policy improvements that achieve economic growth while reinforcing environmental progress and social development.
The Minister reemphasized the peril Maldives faces from climate change. He outlined Maldives plan to go carbon neutral by 2020 and called on the international community to assist in the transfer, promotion and management of green technology to achieve this goal.
The Minister also highlighted the failure of the international community to follow through on their pledges to support the development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and once again called for the UN to establishment of a formal SIDS category.
He also spoke proudly of Maldives’ graduation from a Least Developed Country (LDC) but emphasized the need for international assistance to strengthen state institutions that will support continued development in a sustainable manner.
Minister Shakir, in his statement strongly reiterated the Maldives support for the application of United Nations membership by Palestine. He urged all countries to support a two state solution in the Middle East, with the recognition of a Palestinian state with permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people over their natural resources.
The work of the second committee is scheduled to continue until November 23. During the session the various items discussed in the General Debate will be covered in greater depth and the Maldives delegation will be delivering a number of additional statements on specific topics of interest and concern to the country.
