Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has sent a message of condolence to United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, following the death of the organization’s former head Javier Pérez de Cuéllar.

Cuéllar, a two-term United Nations secretary-general and a former Prime Minister of Peru, died on March 4 at the age of 100.

In his message, Minister Shahid said that he was “deeply saddened” to hear of Cuéllar’s death.

He said that Cuéllar had, as the UN’s fifth secretary-general, “enhanced the role of the United Nations in successfully settling several regional conflicts and contributing to the strengthening of international security”.

Noting that he “dedicated himself to bolstering international cooperation, defending human rights and building a more peaceful world during a tumultuous time in international affairs,” Shahid praised his “remarkable democratic credentials” by successfully delivering a free and fair elections for Peru during his time as prime minister.

Extending heartfelt condolences to Pérez de Cuéllar’s family and the people of Peru, from the Maldivian government and people, Minister Shahid stated that the Maldives will “honour [Cuéllar’s] legacy by continuing to advocate for mediation, peace and prosperity”.

Secretary-General Guterres described Pérez de Cuéllar as “an accomplished statesman, a committed diplomat and a personal inspiration who left a profound impact on the United Nations and [the] world”.

Perez de Cuellar served as the United Nations secretary-general from 1982 to 1991, as was the Prime Minister of Peru from November 2000 until July 2001.