UNGA President-elect Shahid announces programme to train young diplomats

President-elect of the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Abdulla Shahid has initiated a 'PGA Youth Fellowship Programme'.

While the Maldivian foreign minister's Twitter announcement coincided with International Youth Day, the programme has been described as 'the first of its kind'.

Noting that he is "a firm believer in the importance of youth participation, especially in shaping decisions that affect their tomorrow", Shahid early Friday morning revealed the decision to establish the youth fellowship.

He said that the programme intends to "develop the next generation diplomats and civil servants" from Least Developed Countries (LDC), Lesser Developed Countries (LLDC) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Those chosen for the fellowship will have the change to go to New York, United States, for exposure to the UN system "making them strong advocates for multilateralism".

Foreign Minister Shahid, who began his professional career at a young age in 1983, first attended an UNGA session in 1987.

Reminiscing about his earlier years as a young foreign diplomat at the UNGA during his victory speech at this year's UNGA session in June, Shahid said that he was fascinated by multilateralism even then as well, as well as that he was “convinced it was the way forward”.

And now that he has been elected UNGA president, Shahid said that his “ultimate objective is to strengthen multilateralism, enhance cooperation, make the UN deliver, and reign in a presidency of hope”.

However, his first five main priorities are (as per order), recovering from Covid-19, rebuilding sustainably, responding to the needs of the planet, respecting the rights of all and revitalizing the United Nations.

The new PGA will take office in September.