The Secretary General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Esala Ruwan Weerakoon has concluded his introductory visit to the Maldives.
The Secretary General SAARC, who assumed office as the 14th SAARC SG during March 2020, arrived in the Maldives on October 9. Weerakoon was accompanied by spouse Krishanti Weerakoon and Director, Social Affairs Division at SAARC Secretariat, Ismail Mamdhooh.
He departed from the Velana International Airport on Wednesday, where he was seen off by Ambassador at Large Ahmed Saleem, Chief of Protocol Aishath Shaan Shakir and Joint Secretary Fathimath Ghina.
As part of his visit to Maldives, SAARC Secretary General Weerakoon paid a courtesy call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday morning, where the pair engaged in discussions regarding the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, battling terrorism, violence against women and girls, climate change as well as human rights.
President Solih urged member states of SAARC to amp up efforts to ensure the protection of human rights as well as addressing the climate emergency, during the meeting. President Solih also shed light on the critical role SAARC continues to play in strengthening regional collaboration among member states and reaffirmed Maldives’ commitment to SAARC cooperation.
Further, President Solih also expressed his keen interest to cooperate with SAARC in the fight against terrorism and violence against girls, going on to urge all members states to work harder to ensure human rights are protected.
The call concluded with both parties giving assurance to remain committed to further enhance the existing ties and collaboration to achieve mutually beneficial results.
SAARC SG Weerakoon paid courtesy calls on a number of government officials during his visit, including Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed, Ambassador at Large and Former Secretary General of SAARC, Ahmed Saleem at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as long-serving Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and President of the Civil Service Commission Mohamed Nasih.
