The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has publicized its “Human Development Report” for the year 2020.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid participated in the event organized by the UNDP Office in Maldives to launch the report, which highlights significant accomplishments the island nation has made in jumping nine ranks in the global Human Development Index, from the 104th spot to the 95th position.

Speaking at the event, FM Shahid praised the UNDP’s work in publicizing the Human Development Report each year since 1990, going on to shed light on challenges that have been brought under the spotlight due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Stressing that inequalities among vulnerable groups of the society have expanded, FM Shahid called to address them.

Going on to reiterate the government’s commitment to combat the substantial challenges faced by countries such as the Maldives such as the commitment made at the Paris Agreement, SAMOA Pathway and the recent Action Blueprint under the Feminist Action for Climate Justice, FM Shahid called for multilateral collaboration as well as solidarity and the need for urgent substantive action in battling climate change.

During his remarks the foreign minister also acknowledged the extensive support the UN Country Team has provided to assist overcoming Covid-19 challenges.

He also stated that UNDP played a pivotal role in the “UN socio-economic recovery framework in the Maldives”.

Formed to critically analyze the global development efforts by putting people at the center of development, the 2020 Human Development Report titled “The Next Frontier: Human Development and Anthropocene” sheds light on how humanity can navigate the new era, while exploring relationships in pursuing prosperity.