Foreign Minister Shahid participates in the virtual event held to launch the UN75 and MV55 campaign in Maldives

19 August 2020

Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Abdulla Shahid today attended the virtual event hosted by the UN Country Office, to launch the UN75 & MV55 campaign. To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the UN and the 55th Anniversary of the Maldives’ membership of the UN, this campaign was launched under the theme “the future we want, the UN we need”. Under the campaign, a series of events will be conducted in partnership with the Government, the civil society and the public. Based primarily on online engagements, the campaign will also foster the ideals of inclusivity and diversity, and is set to drive change by providing a platform for people from all walks of life.

In his remarks, Minister Shahid recognised the increasingly real and dynamic challenges faced by the world today, and expressed his confidence that the strength of the UN will prevail in bringing the nations together to pursue global solutions to these global challenges. He also underlined the immense socio-economic progress achieved by the Maldives after becoming a member of the UN, and recalled the aspirations of the Government to provide the people of the Maldives with a better future guided by the principles of the UN charter. Minister Shahid further commended the UN75 and MV55 campaign which is designed to assist the Government in identifying the upstream policy support needed in addressing the gaps in the society as well as in combatting the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Catherine Haswell, in her remarks, noted the significant achievements gained from the active engagement of the Maldives in the UN. She then stated that the Maldives’ experience is a practical demonstration of how multilateralism and international cooperation can support the achievement of great ambition and vision.

During the event, a video clip for the campaign entitled “Shaping our Future” was also launched alongside the real time conduction of the UN75 survey among the invitees. The event was attended by First Lady Fazna Ahmed, cabinet ministers, actors of the civil society and other dignitaries.

ENDS