The new Ambassador of Maldives to the United States of America, Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed has presented his credentials to the American President.

Ghafoor presented his Letter of Credence to President Joe Biden during a ceremony held on Tuesday.

Following the credentials ceremony, Ambassador Ghafoor conveyed greetings and best wishes from President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, and the people government of Maldives to the U.S. President.

Ghafoor went on to reaffirm the Maldivian government’s commitment to further consolidate the relations enjoyed between the two countries.

Congratulating Ambassador Ghafoor, the U.S. President highlighted that the archipelago nation has emerged both as a regional and global leader on climate, democracy, and security.

Biden went on to praise the efforts by the Maldivian government to mitigate the impacts of climate change and build resilience.

In his remarks, Ghafoor noted that the relations between the two countries have endured the test of time over the past five decades and that the partnership between Maldives and U.S. have continued to solidify in shared values and strong commitment to uphold the fundamental principles of democracy, human rights, and rule of law, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1965.

Ghafoor also stated that the basics of President Solih’s foreign policy centers on fortifying and developing long-standing ties and increasing engagement with key partners such as the U.S.

He said that the re-establishment of a resident mission in the U.S. after more than a decade, mirrors the growing strength of the Maldives-U.S. ties.

Ghafoor went on to shed light on the progress made in the establishment of the very first U.S. Embassy in the Maldives this year.

The Maldivian Ambassador emphasized that the establishment of the embassies in the respective capitals of the two countries symbolize the “true” spirit of friendship that connects the two compatible countries, despite its geographical distance.

President Solih presented Ghafoor’s Letter of Appointment as the new Ambassador of the Maldives to the U.S. on September 15.

The People’s Majlis approved Ghafoor’s appointment as Maldives’ Ambassador to U.S. during a sitting held on August 18. 46 parliamentarians who took part in the vote, voted in favor of Ghafoor’s appointment.

Ghafoor, who has made multiple contributions to the foreign sector of the Maldives, had filled the position of Maldives’ Ambassador to U.S. previously as well.

Other positions filled by Ghafoor include Foreign Secretary, prior to being appointed as Ambassador-at-Large on May 1.

He also served as Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations Office in Geneva and other senior positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The new Ambassador to U.S. has a Master of Arts in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, USA.

Ghafoor also completed a Postgraduate Programme in Diplomacy, Practice, Procedures, and Dynamics in the United Kingdom.