Being conferred the highest honor of the Dominican Republic is a validation of the forward-looking foreign policy of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, says Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as well as the Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Maldivian foreign minister said this in a message to the public after being conferred the highest honor of the Dominican Republic on Saturday.
Highlighting that he was “deeply” honored and “humbled” upon being conferred the Duarte, Sanchez and Mella Order of Merit, Grand Cross, Silver Plate of the Dominican Republic, FM Shahid expressed gratitude to the government of the Dominican Republic for recognizing his efforts.
Going on to express gratitude to the team at the office of the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) - OPGA76 for their “hard work”, “determination” and the “passion” with which they work, the minister also extended thanks to his team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, for their “unwavering” commitment and “hard work” on behalf of Maldives.
Minister Shahid went on to highlight that receiving the honor “reaffirms” his commitment to deliver the ‘Presidency of Hope’ he had envisioned.
He described this vision to have been built on recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, rebuilding sustainably, responding to the needs of the planet, respecting the rights of all and revitalizing the UN, adding that the ‘Presidency of Hope’ he envisioned, delivers for “people”, for the “planet” and for “prosperity”.
PGA Shahid went on to note that the honor is also a validation of the “forward-looking” foreign policy of President Solih that prioritizes engagement, champions multilateralism and the values of democracy.
It was this engagement that led to the Maldives - one of the smallest countries in the United Nations - to be elected to serve as the President of the General Assembly. I am proud to serve, to make my country and the people of Maldives proud.”Abdulla Shahid, PGA.
The Maldivian minister was conferred the highest honor of the Dominican Republic during a special ceremony held in the capital city of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo on Saturday.
The Duarte, Sanchez and Mella Order of Merit was established in 1931 and is named after the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic; Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, and Ramón Matías Mella Castillo.
The Duarte, Sanchez and Mella Order of Merit rewards distinguished services to the country as well as to the international community.
The honor has been conferred by the Dominican Republic to FM Shahid in recognition of his work as the President of the UNGA, through his “Presidency of Hope” comprised of five rays of hope.
FM Shahid arrived in the Dominican Republic on June 16.
During his visit, the Maldivian minister paid a courtesy call on President Luis Abinader, where discussions were held on the coordination between the United Nations General Assembly and the Dominican Republic.
Discussions also touched on the Dominican Republic’s efforts on achieving sustainable development and addressing climate change.
FM Shahid also visited Hogar del Niño and observed the efforts to develop the Republic’s efforts towards the development of sustainable tourism.
