The government of Maldives has reaffirmed its commitment to address shared challenges, at the 116th Session of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel delivered remarks at the 116th Session of the Council of Ministers of OACPS in Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday.

During his remarks, State Minister Khaleel expressed appreciation and gratitude to the Member States and Secretariat of OACPS for their support towards the island nation’s membership of the organization.

The state minister also expressed gratitude for the continuous support the island nation has been receiving in completing all other steps since becoming a full member.

Further, he highlighted that the country’s membership of OACPS means that almost all Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are now members of the organization.

In his remarks, he reaffirmed the firm commitment of the archipelago nation, to work with OACPS Member States to address shared challenges.

Comprising of 79 Member States from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, the OACPS carries the objective of achieving sustainable development of Member States and their progressive integration into the global economy.

As independent states with comparable economic structures or needs, irrespective of geographical location can be members of the organization, Maldives became a member of the Organization on 9 December 2022.