Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives has stated that his Presidency has been a win like no other for Maldives.

Shahid stated this in his closing remarks as the President of UNGA, on Monday.

In his remarks, Shahid noted that the Presidency has been a win for the Maldives Foreign Service as well.

Minister Shahid expressed gratitude for President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, for trusting him with the responsibility, and stated that this is a win for his forward-looking foreign policy, and commitment to multilateralism.

He noted that his team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives has shown the world, what a small team of highly determined and committed individuals – who refuse to give up on hope – can achieve.

Shahid in his remarks highlighted that even though Maldives is a small island nation with a small population, Maldives is a country that respects international law, fairness, justice, peace, and security. He noted that Maldives is a country that is proudly independent under its own flag.

Shahid noted, the fact that a Maldivian national presided over the 76th session of this universal body of the United Nations, is the result of the robust foreign policy of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He stated that this proof that Maldivians have earned the respect and trust of the international community.

Shahid noted that he brought the Presidency of Hope to the United Nations on behalf of all Maldivians.

Shahid stated that the international community is saying in unison, that the hope brought by Maldives has given hope to the entire world. The rays of hope have enriched the mornings and evenings with their light.