President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has discussed the United Nations’ role in resolving the common challenges facing the globe, with the President of the United Nations General Assembly and Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.

The meeting took place at the UN Headquarters in New York City, on the sidelines of the 76th UNGA session.

During the call, the Maldivian president invited the PGA to visit Maldives at an early date in his capacity as the UNGA president.

He went on to wish Shahid success in achieving the five rays of hope that defines the PGA’s term.

PGA shahid noted that from his five rays of hope, he prioritizes vaccinating the global population against Covid-19 by December of 2022 and ramping climate action.

Shahid thanked Solih for his confidence throughout the PGA campaign, and after he won the election.

Highlighting that it is a pride to be at the helm of the General Assembly, the PGA noted that the foreign policy of the Maldives is focused on maintaining existing ties and establishing new relations. His election victory sheds the spotlight on the international community’s positive response to the Maldives’ foreign policy outlook.

Thanking the PGA for the success attained in foreign policy implementation, the president agreed with Shahid that there in urgent need to ramp up the political will to maximize resource mobilization in regard to equitable access to affordable vaccines and socioeconomic recovery in the face of Covid-19.

PGA Shahid went on to add that gender equality is a high priority of his presidency of hope and applauded President Solih for the positive steps taken to promote gender equality within Maldivian communities.

It is to be noted that 50 percent of Maldivian ambassadors are women.

PGA Shahid received the president and First Lady Fazna Ahmed at John F Kennedy Airport on Sunday.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has departed to New York, United States on Saturday morning and is joined by First Lady Fazna Ahmed and a high-level delegation of government officials.

He will conclude his trip and return to Maldives on September 28.

Maldives marks a turning point in history during the 76th UNGA session, after the election of Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid as the president of the session.

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid won the election for the UNGA presidency in June, with an overwhelming majority.