K. Male'
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26 Sep 2021 | Sun 15:32
President concludes official visit to New York to attend the 76th Session of UNGA
President concludes official visit to New York to attend the 76th Session of UNGA
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
President Solih concludes historic trip to New York to attend 76th UNGA session
President Solih delivered his General Debate Statement at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in Dhivehi
The First Couple departed on the trip, on September 18 and will return to Maldives on Tuesday
He held a number of important meetings throughout the course of the trip
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President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has concluded his trip to New York, United States to attend the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Following the conclusion of the historic trip, the First Couple and high-level Maldivian delegation that accompanied them will return to the Maldives on Tuesday.

The Maldivian president was granted the privilege of delivering his remarks on the third speaking slot on the first day of the high-level General Debate on September 21. This is a rare privilege granted to small states. President Solih delivered his General Debate Statement at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in Dhivehi, marking a historic moment for the Maldives.

During his address, the Maldivian president expressed pride in addressing the presidency of the UNGA in Maldives’ mother tongue; Dhivehi.

The language wee take pride in and is close to our hearts. A language that is most familiar for the Presidency of this General Assembly. The Maldives may be small in size. Maldivians, however, are big in their rich culture and heritage. This is indeed a great honor for our nation.”
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Maldives.

In addition, he claimed that the Maldives condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, everywhere, expressing commitment to work with the international community to acknowledge and face terrorism in a comprehensive manner. He also noted that the people of Maldives will continue to fight for the full recognition of Palestine as an independent state, adding that they are yet to be served justice, despite the decades of efforts from the United Nations.

Further, the president also expressed concern over the long-term peace and stability of Afghanistan, as a neighbor of the wider South Asia region.

President Solih added that he believes the UN still offers the best hope for humanity and the organization still represents the “pinnacle of what concerted diplomacy can achieve and continues to embody the hopes of all, irrespective of status, class or gender, who believe in peaceful dialogue to solve global problems”.

His momentous address at the 76th UNGA also shed light on what happens when possible destructive forces of nature are not respected. As such, President Solih noted that climate emergency will be “catastrophic” to all of humanity and that there is no guarantee of survival for any one nation in a world where the Maldives ceases to exist. Citing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, Solih stated how the climate emergency would be catastrophic to humanity and warned that bigger nations would soon catch up with the state of environmental ruin that small countries face.

He went on to urge the global community to work together in solidarity and unity to achieve ambitions together as one. He said this while applauding the “Presidency of Hope” of the PGA, Abdulla Shahid, noting that the title is highly appropriate, owing to the fact that hope is a highly desirable commodity in these difficult times.

The Maldivian president added that the pandemic is a challenge, lacking a pattern, for the Maldives, as well as the entire globe. With this being said, he stressed on the importance of joint cooperation to ensure such a catastrophe does not repeat.

On the sidelines of the 76th UNGA, the president participated in several bilateral and multilateral sessions with state and government leaders and engaged in several important and productive meetings.

Solih attended the a meeting convened by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, titled the Climate Moment

He also joined the panel on Transformative Action for Nature and People, held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

Further, the Maldivian president also took part in the online session of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Leaders' Summit 2021.

Solih engaged in discussions with the UNSG as well as PGA Shahid, where he invited the latter to visit Maldives in his capacity as PGA.

The official meetings held throughout the course of his visit saw discussions held with world leaders at the UN Headquarters in New York. They include the President of the Portuguese Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, President of the Republic of Cape Verde Jorge Carlos Fonseca, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President of the Republic of Palau Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. and the Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

Further, the trip saw doors opened for First Lady Fazna Ahmed with several opportunities to expand cooperation and new mutually beneficial partnerships. As such, she participated in an event focusing around the youth community, titled “Unlock the Future”.

She met the Head of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office Marco Suazo, Executive Director of the Global Foundation for the Performing Arts (GFPA) Lucia J. Guo and pianist on the GFPA's artist roster, Byron Zhou where discussions revolved around the initiation of music art therapy in the Maldives.

She also met with Interim CEO of Girl Guides USA Judith Batty and the Director of Global Girl Scouting, Girl Guides USA Adwoa Aidoo.

Further, the First Lady attended the book launching event for "My Travels to Africa" by the First Lady of Turkey Emine Erdogan.

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. Shahid, who ran against Afghanistan’s Zalmai Rassoul, got 143 votes from the body.

President Solih addressed the 74th United Nations General Assembly in New York, during September 2019 for the first time. It was not only Solih’s first visit to the UNGA, but it was also the first time a Maldivian head of state was present in over seven years.

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