Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has called for the reorientation of the Commonwealth Vulnerability Index, in order to better capture the effect that Covid-19 and climate change have on small states.
Speaking during the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting on Wednesday, the minister stated that struggles to battle the double threat of Covid-19 and climate change will continue without access to concessional finance.
He noted that Maldives believes it is time to re-visit the issue of the Commonwealth Vulnerability Index raised in the recent Forum of Small States, led by Singapore.
The government of Maldives also welcomes initiatives taken by the Commonwealth to ensure Member States benefit from assistance regarding economic challenges, including the Disaster Risk Finance Portal.
As such he stated that Maldives supports the Commonwealth’s efforts to assist Member States in overcoming the challenges posed by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, says.
The country also supports calling for sovereign debt relief and access to international finance markets, said FM Shahid.
He added that Covid-19 has shed light on the middle-income trap faced by many smaller states.
Stressing that the threat of climate change still lingers alongside the pandemic, FM Shahid said that Maldives is constantly aware of the fact that the island nation is “at the mercy of nature”, more so “at the mercy of humankind”.
Further speaking at the event, FM Shahid expressed delight in the island nation having subscribed to the Commonwealth Blue Charter.
The Maldives is delighted to subscribe to the Commonwealth Blue Charter. We believe in the Commonwealth’s ambition for a fair, inclusive and sustainable approach to ocean protection and economic development. We have pledged to phase-out single-use plastics by 2023 and look forward to working with the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance to combat marine plastic pollution”Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Shedding light on the recent oil spill disaster facing Mauritius, FM Shahid expressed solidarity with the island nation and stated that these disasters are a reminder of vulnerabilities.
As an organization that has met the challenges together “as a family”, the organization is unshakeable in our quest to work towards gender equality and the empowerment of women as well, said FM Shahid.
He expressed pride in noting that Maldives has achieved gender parity among Heads of diplomatic missions.
It was unfortunate that CHOGM had to be postponed. Covid-19 has proven to be quite the obstacle for the international community. The Maldives looks forward to next year’s CHOGM in Rwanda where we hope to further discuss the issues at hand. Upon re-joining the Commonwealth, President Solih said that the Commonwealth is a great avenue for “capacity building and the exchange of experiences”. May our shared experiences, unity and solidarity propel us towards a brighter and more prosperous future”Abdulla Shahid, Maldives Foreign Minister.
