Closing Remarks by His Excellency Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, at the Informal Interactive Dialogue with the candidates for the President of the Seventy-Sixth Session of the United Nations General Assembly
6 May 2021, New York
Mr President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This interactive dialogue has indeed been an incredible opportunity. I am truly humbled by the keen interest you have taken in me, and in my candidature. Your contributions, support, suggestions, and the questions, have helped me understand your concerns and your expectations. I am going away, more informed, inspired, and enriched.
Excellencies,
I would like to take this opportunity to once again, thank you, Mr President, for the excellent arrangements for this informal interactive dialogue. I thank your team as well, for their support.
I extend my heartfelt appreciation to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, for his confidence in me, and for nominating me, as the Maldives candidate for the Presidency of the seventy-sixth session.
I thank my excellent teams here in New York, in Malé, and in our missions around the world.
A special note of appreciation to our Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Thilmeeza Hussain – a perfect example of the truly stellar female leadership the Maldives has to offer!
Mr President, Excellencies
I am very aware of the challenging times in which we approach the seventy-sixth session. We have had a year of disease, despair, and devastation.
But we need to get moving again. We need to revive the multilateral spirit. Move our General Assembly towards, a different normal – a more resilient, a more sustainable, a more inclusive normal.
This is why my Presidency will be a Presidency of Hope. Because it is hope that gets us moving again. Hope lets us stand up, dust ourselves off, and once again, work on rebuilding this world – a more resilient world – a world that delivers for people, for the planet, and for prosperity. Hope is what will bring us together.
Recovering from COVID19, Rebuilding sustainably, Responding to the needs of our planet, Respecting the Rights of All, and, Revitalising the United Nations. These are my priorities—my five Rays of Hope.
I will serve with impartiality, independence, integrity, and transparency. I will be inclusive and representative. I will work to make the UN more responsive, accountable, efficient, and effective.
I will promote the Charter, the Rules of Procedure, and be guided by the membership. I will abide by the Code of Ethics of the PGA.
The Maldives, and I, believe in a principled foreign policy. We believe in the ability and right of every State—small or big—to have a say in decision making of global institutions, in the responsibility to contribute. We believe in the principle of rotation.
The Maldives is a country, that, despite all odds, despite every challenge, continues to work, continues to dream, and continues to hope. As a Maldivian, it is in my ethos to do the same — hope for a better tomorrow, and work for a better tomorrow.
Mr President, Excellencies,
This is what a Maldives Presidency would like. This is what my Presidency would look like. This is what a Presidency of Hope would like. A Presidency of Hope – one that delivers for people, for the planet, and for prosperity
I look forward to having your support for my candidature, at the election to be held on 7 June.
I thank you
