The government of Maldives is participating in the 54th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

The 54th Session of the UNHRC commenced in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday.

It will proceed through October 13 and the delegation from Maldives will be delivering national statements under several agenda items, in accordance with the government’s key policies and priorities.

Further, the Maldives will be delivering two joint statements on behalf of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) based in Geneva, the first one to be presented during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on water and sanitation, will address the importance of access to clean water and sanitation for SIDS and highlight the challenges they face in ensuring these basic rights.

The second statement will be made during the Biennial Panel Discussion on Youth and Human Rights, will emphasize the significance of youth empowerment in the context of climate change. 

The delegation from Maldives is being led by Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Offices at Geneva Dr. Asim Ahmed.

The delegation comprises of Counsellor of the Maldives Mission to the UN offices at Geneva Adam Hamid, Counsellor of the Maldives Mission to the UN offices at Geneva Aminath Shifaya Ibrahim, Second Secretary of the Maldives Mission to the UN offices at Geneva Maryam Fathika Fayaz and Third Secretary of the Maldives Mission to the UN offices at Geneva Mizna Waheed.

This comes months after Maldives participated in the 53rd session of the UNHRC, hosted in Geneva from June 19 through July 14.

At the 53rd session, Maldives’ delegation delivered a joint statement for the Annual Panel on Adverse Impacts of Climate Change on behalf of a group of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) based in Geneva. Jointly with a cross regional core group, Maldives also presented a resolution extending the mandate of Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers as well.

The Maldives actively participated in the 52nd session of the UNHRC during April this year, as well. At the 52nd session, Maldives delivered 29 national statements on an array of thematic areas of the Human Rights Council. The Maldives co-sponsored 19 resolutions, including mandate renewal for Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders. Maldives also co-sponsored thematic resolutions on the right to food, efficient public services delivery, democracy and the rule of law, among others.

The Maldives also co-sponsored 33 joint statements delivered at the council.

Dr. Asim led the delegation both times.