Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has stated that the Maldives Foreign Service, in the year 2022, prioritized gender equality, building an inclusive and considerate workplace, in their work.

Minister Shahid stated this in his new year message on Saturday.

Minister Shahid in his message noted that the Maldives successfully led the establishment of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy to be commemorated on 24 June.

He noted that the Maldives Foreign Service maintained a high representation of women in the executive committee of the Ministry and gender parity among the Ambassadors.

The Minister also noted the establishment of a family room in the Ministry, upholding its commitment to make a family-friendly, inclusive work environment.

The Maldivian Minister noted that the year 2022 was an exceptional year for the Maldives Foreign Service, and for the Maldives internationally, in working towards the realization of the three pillars of the Maldives foreign policy - human rights, democracy and good governance and climate action.

Noting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs marked its 90th anniversary, in 2022, Minister Shahid noted that the Maldives Foreign Service Act entered into effect on 14 May 2022, realizing a long-held dream and aspiration of the Maldivian diplomatic service.

The Minister went onto note that the Maldivian flag was raised high, reaching all corners of the world in 2022.

Minister Shahid, in his message, also noted that Maldives established diplomatic relations with more countries, in 2022, totaling the number of countries with whom diplomatic relations are established to 182.