President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has been conferred the Order of Distinguished Rule of Izzudheen, “Nishan Izzuddeen Izzathuge Verikan”.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih conferred the Order of “Nishan Izzuddeen” to PGA Shahid during the National Day Function held at the Republic Square on Wednesday.

PGA Shahid was conferred the high-ranking honor due to his exemplary foreign policies and commendable work to promote the voice of Maldives in the international community. Further, the president regard PGA Shahid’s election as a great honor and believes it is a sign of the international community’s acceptance of his foreign services.

Order of “Nishan Izzuddeen” is among the highest-ranking honors conferred by the State and celebrates individual national and international services. It is dedicated to Al- Sultan-ul-Ghazi Hassan Izzuddhin Siri Kularanbeema Kahthiri Bavana Maharadhun.

Previous recipients of the “Order of Nishan Izzuddeen” include the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, former President of South Korea, Chun Doo Hwan, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth Shridath Surendranath Ramphal and Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Shahid’s career in the foreign sector began in July 1983 as a junior-level staff and was in 2005, appointed Minister for State for Foreign Affairs. He was then promoted as Minister of Foreign Affairs on 23 August 2007, going on to serve in the position until long-term ruler, Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s presidency came to an end.

PGA Shahid’s services mirrored around the expansion of the country’s diplomatic footprint globally, including the establishment of Maldivian embassies in the United States, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Singapore.

Shahid was appointed Foreign Minister by the incumbent administration after Solih assumed office. Since then, his efforts have been tremendous in making Maldives a respected and accepted country in the international community.