Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed has delivered the Maldives statement at the 48th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The session was held in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday.

During his statement, Foreign Secretary Ghafoor shed light on how the Covid-19 pandemic has further sidelined the most vulnerable communities globally.

He went on to stress on the importance of capitalizing on the opportunities that surfaced due to Covid-19, as the world navigates through the pandemic’s challenges.

With this being said, he stated that the path towards an all-inclusive, sustainable, resilient and equitable recovery rests within collective action.

Going on to shed the spotlight on the most pressing issues facing the Muslim nation, the Maldivian Foreign Secretary voiced solidarity with Muslims, particularly Palestinians, Rohingya Muslims and Afghans, in their goals for justice and peace.

Applauding the Muslim World League’s efforts as well as those of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to promote Islam in its true moderate form, Ghafoor reiterated that the road to peaceful coexistence demands correction of the course as well as cooperation and compromise on all sides.

The Maldivian Foreign Secretary also recognized the platform as a beacon to mend broken ties and strengthen friendships, stressing the need to rethink and enhance diplomacy to reflect the new realities of the world.

Further, stressing on the significance of applying international platforms to push for diplomacy, peace and harmony between nations and the international community as a whole, Ghafoor reaffirmed the government of Maldives’ commitment to deliver the theme of 2022, “Partnering for Unity, Justice and Development”.

The statement also saw Ghafoor conveying a message of felicitation to the government and people of Pakistan, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of independence. Ambassador of Maldives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Permanent Representative of Maldives to the OIC Mohamed Khaleel and Assistant Director Aishath Fareena accompanied the Foreign Secretary.

Since Maldives became a member of the OIC in 1976, the country has actively participated in the activities and meetings of the organization.

Convened annually, the two-day meeting brought together 57 OIC Member States to deliberate on the general policy and issues of mutual concern.

On the sidelines of the ongoing OICCFM, Foreign Secretary Ghafoor also met the Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights and U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Uzra Zeya where discussions were held on the relations between Maldives and U.S. as well as international issues of mutual interest and human rights.

He also met with the Director General of Islamic Organization for Food Security where discussions focused on ways Maldives can work with the Islamic Organization for Food Security, to monitor and manage the state of food.